The dive
From the entry, swim north away from the beach. You can swim between large rocks, and there’s a swim-through, though you may need a guide to find it. Heading north you reach about 8 m of water at most.
A prominent reef runs a fair way out and is easy to follow. On its western side lies a large section of old storm pipe, where baby wobbegongs and other fish like to hide. There’s also a gully between the rocks to the west that you can swim through.
This is a good dive for sharks. From May to July, young dusky whaler sharks gather here; our guides have seen nearly 20 at once. Port Jackson sharks turn up in winter. You’ll also see blue groper, schools of surgeonfish and yellowtail, rays and giant cuttlefish.
Getting in and out
Fairy Bower is about halfway along the ocean-side path between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach. A metal staircase takes you down to the water.
We sometimes run our guided shore dives here instead of at Shelly Beach.
Conditions and tips
Fairy Bower is also a great night dive, when there isn’t much traffic on the path.
Fairy Bower is inside Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, so look but don’t take anything.
Dive it with us
Sydney shore dives
Guided shore dives in the Eastern Suburbs, Kurnell and at Shelly Beach, Manly.
See the tripWhere it is
What you might see
- Port Jackson sharkA harmless bottom-dweller that returns to Sydney’s reefs every winter.
- Wobbegong sharkA carpet shark so well camouflaged that divers swim right past it.
- Dusky whalerYoung whaler sharks that gather in Cabbage Tree Bay.
- RaysFiddler rays, smooth stingrays and eagle rays on the sand around Sydney’s reefs.
- Eastern blue groperThe NSW state fish: big, curious and happy to follow divers around.
- Giant cuttlefishThe world’s largest cuttlefish, and a master of colour change.
Nearby sites
- Shore dive · Cabbage Tree Bay Shelly BeachA sheltered, west-facing cove inside Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and one of the easiest shore dives in Sydney to navigate. Follow the rock wall out, and the wall brings you home.14 m
- Shore dive · Mosman Clifton GardensA Sydney Harbour shore dive at Mosman and a favourite with underwater photographers. This is a muck dive: you slow down and look closely for small, unusual critters.30 m
- Shore dive · Freshwater FreshwaterOne of the best shore dives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with good reef structure and two larger reefs east of the point for more experienced divers.18 m
- Boat dive · North Head Blue Fish PointA relaxed dive on the northern side of North Head, and a great place to see weedy seadragons.24 m
