Dive Byron Bay

The Dive Site

Nguthungulli / Julian Rocks — Cape Byron Marine Park

About Julian Rocks

Nguthungulli Julian Rocks is situated within the Cape Byron Marine Park in northern NSW, on the east coast of Australia and has been likened to a ‘mini Galapagos’ (Lonely Planet 2014) and one of the best dive sites in Australia (The Australian 2011).

Located just 2.5 km offshore means you won’t spend hours on a boat every time you go diving, although in the 5 minutes it takes to get there, you may see dolphins playing in the bay or whales as they migrate past in winter.

The summer months bring in Manta Rays and Leopard Sharks, whilst the cooler winter waters attract the endangered Grey Nurse Sharks. In addition, turtles, rays, crustaceans, nudibranchs, octopuses, eels and a plethora of fish populate our Nguthungulli Julian Rocks year round.

Nguthungulli Julian Rocks is home to over 1000 marine species thanks to the convergence of warm and cool waters resulting in this enormous biodiversity. Whilst most species are found over a wide area of the Asia-Pacific region, a minority are endemic to this area creating a truly unique diving environment.

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5 minboat ride
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1000+species
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6:1divers per guide
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ProtectedMarine Park

Explore Diving Highlights

Manta ray over a bommie at the Needles

Needles

The Needles is a large area south of the island full of interesting rock formations. Depth ranges from 9 to 15 meters. The large sandy arena in the middle of the Needles is where you generally find most Leopard Sharks during the warmer months from December to April. All year round this spot is extremely popular with turtles of all sizes (GreenTurtles, Hawkesbill Turtles and huge Loggerhead Turtles) as well as Bullrays, Eagle Rays and Shovelnose Rays. Every now and then, Manta Rays come in and spend some time on top of the bigger bommies in the Needles.

Wobbegongs tucked into the Line of Smiles

Mohole and Line of Smiles

The Mohole is a small cave at the southern end of the Needles in about 14 meters depth. Typically, you’d see a huge Loggerhead Turtle sleeping in there. The Mohole is always worth checking out, you could see big cods getting cleaned, massive Bullrays followed by a school of cobia, huge schools of big Kingfish in a feeding frenzy, never a dull moment. The Line of Smiles is just a short swim from the Mohole, it is a huge crack in a rock wall which is filled to the top with all sorts of interesting Marine Life. Swimming past it, at first glimpse all you can see is a line of Wobbegong Sharks squeezed in there on top of each other looking out which is where the name “Line of Smiles” comes from. At closer inspection (but watch out for those wobbies!), you can see crayfish, Blind Sharks, hundreds of Cleaner Shrimps and little crabs and the occasional Nudibranch or cuttlefish.

Grey Nurse cruising through rock walls at Hugo’s Trench

Hugo’s Trench

This dive site actually consists of two parallel trenches: Hugo’s Trench and False Trench. They are sheltered from the strong Northerlies we often get between September and Christmas. The trenches are full of interesting rock formations and narrow gaps in huge rock walls for divers to swim through. The depth in the trenches ranges from 8 to 17 meters. When there are big currents at Julian Rocks, both, divers and fish come here to have a rest. The trenches are full of life, big and small. This is the spot for Nudibranchs, they can be seen on the walls in all colours and sizes, but also for big marine life such as turtles, Kingfish, Bullrays, Eagle Rays and the occasional Manta. In winter it is not uncommon to find the trenches are full of Grey Nurse Sharks.

Large cod and trevally schooling inside the Cod Hole swim-through

Cod Hole

The Cod Hole is a spectacular swim-through at the end of the island. It is quite big, so a small group of divers fits in it comfortably. The entry is at around 15 meters and it takes you down to approximately 18 meters depth. In and around the Cod Hole there are usually large schools of huge fish such as Jewfish and Kingfish, very common are schools of Sweetlips and Trevally as well. Inside the Cod Hole, you can generally find lots of big fish again including some big cods, a few Wobbegong Sharks and lots of smaller marine life such as Mooray Eels, Cuttlefish, Crayfish, Cleaner Shrimps, Slipper Crabs and Lionfish. Going past the Cod Hole, the sandy bottom starts at 20 meters and gradually gets deeper. This area is one of the best spots at Julian Rocks for large Pelagics. You never know what you might see out there. The sand trenches behind the Cod Hole are also very popular with Grey Nurse Sharks during the colder months from June to November. During summer there is a good chance of seeing a Manta Ray near the Cod Hole. All year round, the area around the Cod Hole tends to attract many big rays such as Eagle Rays and Bullrays. It is also a good spot to see giant Queensland Gropers.

Ghost pipefish on black coral at the Gorgonian Hollow

Cray Cave and Gorgonian Hollow

These dive sites are both located on the deeper Eastern side of Julian Rocks where the sandy bottom drops to about 24 meters. The Cray Cave is another swim-through at about 18 meters depth, but much narrower than the Cod Hole, only high and wide enough for one diver at a time. The Gorgonian Hollow is a huge horseshoe shaped rock formation in about 22 meters depth. This is a secret spot for Ghost Pipefish which can often be found on the Black Coral inside the Gorgonian Hollow.

Manta ray cleaning over Needles bommies

Needles — Bommies & Mantas

A return to the Needles’ sandy arena: in summer months the bommies become cleaning stations for Manta Rays and staging areas for Eagle Rays and Bullrays. Expect turtles of all sizes weaving through the coral gardens between 9–15 m, and classic Byron Bay viz changes with the tides.

Green turtle gliding across the Nursery’s shallow reef

Nursery

The Nursery is where we start most of our dives. It is a shallow area (6 to 12 metres deep) with four moorings for the dive boats and it is generally protected from swell and current, so the diving is relaxing and easy. The Nursery is a large area full of small marine life such as an abundance of colourful tropical fish, octopi, cuttlefish and Lionfish, but also turtles and Wobbegong Sharks. In summer, the Nursery is great for swimming with Leopard Sharks. Apart from Marine life, interesting features in the Nursery include a huge overgrown anchor complete with chain and Split Bommie, a giant cracked rock which attracts a lot of fish life.

Map of Nguthungulli / Julian Rocks dive site
Conditions & Safety

Julian Rocks is an open ocean site. Although often calm, conditions can include strong swells, currents, surges, cold water and winds. Divers must have the ability, fitness, confidence and competence to dive in such conditions.

Winter temperatures can drop to 17 °C (avg. ~20 °C). If unsure about your ability in the above conditions, please book a private guide for more dedicated support.

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