Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving - Tomaree Head
The southern headland of Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle in the NSW is called Tomaree Head. This is now mostly part of Tomaree National Park. The outside of the headland is in open ocean but is somewhat protected from the full force of the elements by Fingal Head and the islands off Port Stephens. The headland is quite impressive, with very shear walls going up to a 500 feet high hill.
Tomaree Head is not normally dived that much as there are lots of dive sites around. However, in southerly winds and seas, the local dive shops do sometimes go there. Just outside the bay is an excellent, shallow dive called Tomaree Head.
Once you get outside Port Stephens, head south to GPS mark 32#176; 43' 05"S 152° 11' 15"E (using AUS66 as datum - see my GPS Page for more info). This will place you not far south of the outer head where a large crack that runs back into the headland. A bit further south is the dive site which is off a very small bay.
The maximum depth is only eight metres, although you can get deeper (about 13 metres) if you swim a fair way off the cliff. The site consists of very large boulders with smaller boulders in between. Most of the dive is spent at only five metres or so and you can swim through many swim-throughs and explore numerous overhangs. The fishlife is also very good.
A quality dive location, especially as a second dive.
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