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Once of the problems with diving in Sydney is that we quite often have weather conditions that are adverse to comfortable and safe diving. However, there is hardly any conditions that are so bad that you could not dive somewhere. This article is an attempt to help you.
I have tried to pick the common weather conditions that prevail in Sydney and list the dive sites that could be suitable in those conditions.
OPEN OCEAN
My experience is that any winds over 15 knots are unsuitable for boat diving. Any on-shore winds over 10 knots would also make most shore diving in the open ocean (unless the winds are westerly or north westerly) unsafe. For 10 to 15 knots a lot of caution is needed.
SUITABLE FOR ALL CONDITIONS EXCEPT A FEW DAYS OF VERY HEAVY RAIN
Shiprock, Lilli Pilli, Camp Cove, Parsley Bay and Clifton Gardens are about the only places worth trying. If more than 100 mm has fallen in the past four days, forget even these. These sites are always suitable and not included in later comments.
SOUTHERLY WINDS AND SEAS (includes SE and SW)
10 to 15 knots - 2 to 3 metres
Shore Dives
The open ocean would be undiveable except at Shelly Beach, Fairy Bower, South Maroubra. Inside the bays you could probably dive at Bare Island Right, Inscription Point, The Monuments and possibly Oak Park.
Boat Dives
Middle Ground, Six Fathom Reef, Pizza Reef, Barrens Hut out of Port Hacking, Inscription Point, Anchor Reef, GT Reef, Henry Head out of Botany Bay, The Gap, The Colours, Red Indian Point, South Head, SS Royal Shepherd out of Sydney Harbour would probably be okay.
15 to 20 knots - 3 to 5 metres
Shore Dives
The open ocean would be undiveable except at Shelly Beach, Fairy Bower, and The Monuments.
Boat Dives
Only Six Fathom Reef at Port Hacking and perhaps Inscription Point out of Botany Bay and Red Indian Point out of Sydney Harbour. You could also try The Container Wall in Botany Bay and Inside South Head and Sow and Pigs in Sydney Harbour.
Over 20 knots - 4 to 7 metres
Stay in bed.
NORTH EASTERLY WINDS
5 to 10 knots - 1 to 2 metres
Shore Dives
Bare Island is suitable for all strengths of NE winds. The open ocean would be marginal in many places. You could possible dive Fairy Bower, Shelly Beach should be okay, Oak Park and Windy Point would probably also be okay as would Inscription Point. The Monuments would probably be good.
Boat Dives
Most locations would be okay but you would not want to run into the NE for too long.
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