Diving at Seal Rocks and Forster
Seal Rocks is home to one of the largest and most accessible grey nurse shark aggregations in New South Wales. The sharks gather year-round at Big Sea Rock and Little Seal Rock, in depths reachable by Open Water-certified divers, making this one of the few places in Australia where a beginner diver can reliably encounter these animals.
Grey nurse sharks at Seal Rocks
Grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) are listed as critically endangered in Australia's eastern population. Despite their size and appearance — large, slow-moving, with rows of visible teeth — they are not aggressive towards divers and there are no recorded incidents of grey nurse sharks harming humans in Australian waters.
The rocks off Sugarloaf Point at Seal Rocks hold the largest known aggregation of grey nurse sharks in NSW. The two main dive sites — Big Sea Rock and Little Seal Rock — sit to the south-east of the lighthouse, accessible by boat charter from Forster. During peak season the gutters at these rocks can hold over 100 sharks at a time, circling slowly in the current. Divers can sit at the edge of the gutter and watch the sharks pass within metres.
The sharks are present at Seal Rocks year-round, but numbers typically peak between summer and winter. The calm, slow nature of the dives — the sharks move at a relaxed pace through accessible depths — makes this suitable for recently qualified Open Water divers as well as experienced ones.
Protected species: Grey nurse sharks are fully protected under NSW law. Do not touch, chase, feed or harass the sharks. Maintain a respectful distance and follow your dive guide's instructions. Penalties for interfering with protected marine species are substantial.
Other dive sites in the area
- Forster reef sites — named sites accessible by boat from Forster include The Pinnacle, Latitude Rock, Latitude Reef, Bennett's Head Bommie, Colours, Hayden's Rock and Black Head Reef — rocky outcrops and reef structures with wobbegong sharks, rays, moray eels, lionfish and a wide variety of reef fish. Depths range from 8m to 30m. Conditions and visibility vary by season and weather.
- Boat Beach snorkelling, Seal Rocks — the sheltered cove at Boat Beach offers accessible snorkelling over reef with good visibility on calm days. Not a scuba dive site, but worthwhile for snorkellers and a useful alternative when ocean conditions prevent boat dives. About Boat Beach →
- Wreck diving — the Forster Barge (28m) is an accessible wreck in the Forster area. Further south at Seal Rocks, the SS Satara lies at 40m+ and the SS Catterthun at 50m — both suited to experienced divers only and requiring boat charter.
Dive operators and charters
Dive charters to Seal Rocks depart from Forster. Operators offer guided dives, equipment hire and PADI certification courses. Dive Forster has operated from Fishermans Wharf since 1972 and runs guided dives, PADI certification courses and equipment hire. Seal Rocks charters run approximately once or twice per month, weather permitting — spaces fill quickly. Phone (02) 6554 7478 or book via diveforster.com.au.
If you are visiting specifically for the grey nurse shark dives, book your charter in advance. Boat numbers at the dive sites are managed to protect the sharks, and spaces fill quickly in peak season.
Certification required: All scuba diving at Seal Rocks requires a recognised open water diving certification at minimum. Bring your dive card. Operators will not take uncertified divers on scuba dives.
Conditions: Ocean conditions at Seal Rocks can change rapidly. Charter operators make go/no-go decisions on the day based on sea state. Allow flexibility in your travel plans if you're visiting specifically to dive.
Nearby
Seal Rocks
The village above the dive sites — general store, lighthouse walk and Boat Beach snorkelling all within walking distance.
About Seal Rocks →Boat Beach
Sheltered snorkelling in the cove at Sugarloaf Point — a surface-level alternative on days when scuba conditions are poor.
About Boat Beach →Forster & Tuncurry
The closest town to Seal Rocks and the departure point for all dive charters to the grey nurse shark sites.
Forster & Tuncurry →