Sydney marine life

Seadragons and seahorses

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  Weedy seadragonFound only in southern Australia, and one of Sydney’s signature dives.
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  White’s seahorseAn endangered Sydney local that clings to sponges, soft corals and harbour nets.
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  Sydney pygmy pipehorseA tiny, perfectly camouflaged relative of the seahorse, found only around Sydney.

Sharks and rays

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  Grey nurse sharkFierce-looking, calm by nature, and critically endangered on the east coast.
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  Port Jackson sharkA harmless bottom-dweller that returns to Sydney’s reefs every winter.
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  Wobbegong sharkA carpet shark so well camouflaged that divers swim right past it.
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  Dusky whalerYoung whaler sharks that gather in Cabbage Tree Bay.
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  RaysFiddler rays, smooth stingrays and eagle rays on the sand around Sydney’s reefs.

Reef fish

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  Eastern blue groperThe NSW state fish: big, curious and happy to follow divers around.
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  Eastern blue devilA shy, brilliantly coloured fish that lives in caves and under ledges.
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  Yellowtail kingfishFast, silver schools that circle divers on the deeper boat dives.

Cephalopods and nudibranchs

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  Giant cuttlefishThe world’s largest cuttlefish, and a master of colour change.
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  Blue-ringed octopusSmall, beautiful and venomous. A rare sighting: look, never touch.
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  NudibranchsTiny, colourful sea slugs, and Sydney has hundreds of kinds.

Dive with us to see them

• Sydney shore divesGuided shore dives in the Eastern Suburbs, Kurnell and at Shelly Beach, Manly.
• Sydney boat divesTwo dives from Sea Life V, leaving Rose Bay and Manly.

Great Barrier Reef marine life →