Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving - KFC Reef
Some of the best dives in New South Wales, if not the world, are located off Royal National Park, the world's second oldest, located off the southern side of Sydney. The pristine reefs here are in especially good condition due to the lack off run off from the metropolitan area.
Another of the excellent reefs is located just outside Port Hacking to the east of the southern end of Jibbon Bombora. The reef runs from the Bombora to another dive site called Pizza Reef.
Pizza Reef is located at a GPS Reading of 34° 05' 03"S 151° 10' 43"E and can be quite difficult to find at times. This is due to the small size of the reef. Just to the north-west is KFC (I called this reef KFC as there is always a KFC - Kentucky Fried Chicken - located close to a Pizza Hut). As far as I know, no-one dives this reef except St George Scuba Club. GPS Reading for KFC is 34° 05' 02.3"S 151° 10' 42.4"E. This is using AUS66 as a datum (if you use another, see my GPS Page for what this will mean)
The reef here runs mostly east-west but there are some northerly running sections on the eastern end and a few fingers running south. We have not yet fullt expored this reef but I am sure that there are some more things to see. The reef comes up from 24 metres or so to 20 metres on top. There is excellent fishlife, with some of the best sponge gardens around Sydney.
The top and sides of the reef are literally covered with fixed marine growth. Gorgonias of many colours can be seen on the sides of the reef, especially in the small gaps between the rocks. Sponges, sea squirts and ascidians are plentiful and very colourful. This site has some of the most colourful life you will see anywhere.
As for fishlife, we have seen huge schools of one-spot pullers all over the reef, a lot of bastard (Tassie or Tasmanian) trumpeters, huge rays, mosaic leatherjackets around as well as black reef and six-spined leatherjackets. Together with bream, sea pike and yellowtail, they move over the reef in perpetual motion. We have also see giant and normal boarfish here.
All in all, a great Sydney reef dive.
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