The dive
The main site runs along a large rock wall that drops to 15 to 20 m. Its highlight is the Cathedral: two massive boulders leaning against each other, forming a swim-through that runs east to west. The boulders are covered in sea tulips, sponges and bryozoans, and the ceiling is always busy with life.
The western side is home to masses of fish, including bullseyes, roughies, yellowtail, pike and tailor, and often hundreds of pomfrets. Look for starfish, large cuttlefish, wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks in season. Weedy seadragons are seen here too.
Swim north of the Cathedral along the wall and you reach large gutters where grey nurse sharks gather.
Grey nurse sharks
The best time for grey nurse encounters here is November to May, although we see them at this site all year. They’re critically endangered and protected in NSW. Don’t touch, feed or chase them, don’t block a gutter, and let them swim past you. Stay low and calm and they’ll often come close.
On the boat
We dive Long Reef from Sea Life V as part of a two-dive boat trip leaving from Rose Bay or Manly. A dive briefing is given before you get in, and full gear hire is available on board.
Conditions and tips
Watch for strong currents. Follow your guide’s briefing on how the current is running.
Visibility is usually much clearer in winter, so keep this site in mind for a mid-winter dive.
Dive it with us
Sydney boat dives
Two dives from Sea Life V, leaving Rose Bay and Manly.
See the tripWhere it is
What you might see
- Weedy seadragonFound only in southern Australia, and one of Sydney’s signature dives.
- Grey nurse sharkFierce-looking, calm by nature, and critically endangered on the east coast.
- 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.
- Giant cuttlefishThe world’s largest cuttlefish, and a master of colour change.
Nearby sites
- 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
- Boat dive · Sydney Harbour Centurion wreckOne of the most interesting shipwreck dives in Sydney Harbour: the remains of a 63 m timber clipper that sank inside the Heads in 1887.18 m
- Boat dive · Dee Why Dee Why WideOne of Sydney’s premier boat dives, off Dee Why on the Northern Beaches. Deep gullies and cracks in the rocky bottom hold a huge amount of marine life.37 m
- Boat dive · South Maroubra Magic PointOne of Sydney’s most iconic dive sites. A ledge and cave along a wall is home to its most famous residents: grey nurse sharks.23 m
