Location and Access

Osborne shoals is located directly of Cronulla Beach and is one of the many excellent dive sites that can be reached from Port Hacking. Osborne Shoals is only one part of the reef that can be found intermittently from Kurnell to Bundeena across Bate Bay.

Description

Like Merries reef further to the north, the top of the reef is generally covered in kelp and or sponges. Once you drop of the scenery rapidly changes and the best spots are where the top of the reef plunges down to 20 metres or more. After descending down the anchor line and you haven't found the reef, swim to the north. The best dive is usually had when you keep the reef on your right shoulder and swim in an easterly direction. If the anchor was placed in the correct location you should come across a cave after only a few metres.

You can enter the cave a little to see the gorgonias in their hundreds. Continue to the east, past a small overhang after which the reef turns to the south. Even more marine life can be found on these walls. When you move on further you will see some large boulders and then a sandy patch on your left hand side. Past this, there are more rocks which most divers only briefly get to see because by now most people will have used half their air supply.

If you have some left you can continue on a little further, reaching 24 metres as maximum depth. No matter how far you go (or what route you take) you should to return to the anchor line, keeping the reef on your left hand, when you have used half your air supply. On returning to the anchor line a safety stop is always needed due to the depth of this dive.

This period is often made a lot easier due to the presence of blue gropers and wrasse that are often looking for an easy meal. Visibility here is usually quite good, with 9-12 metres being average.