Dive in Jervis Bay

Diving in Jervis Bay

 

You’re going to encounter some incredible dives in Jervis Bay as the area has of the whitest sand in the world and amazing sea life to discover.  A lot of people come here to dive with the seals, one of the most incredible diving experiences you’ll encounter in your life.

There is a dive centre in most of the main towns around Jervis Bay such as Hutchisson, Hyams Beach and Vincentia.  The bay has over 30 dive sites and due to calm, protected waters then diving is available all year round. 

From wrecks to canyons and swim through, drop offs, caves, kelp forests and sandy dives, there’s such a rich diversity in the bay due to the varied environments.  Dive site depths range from 5-40 metres making this great for any level of diver.  The bay is home to over 200 reef fish and hundreds of other marine species, also to many species on the endangered list.  You might also be lucky enough to encounter a whale, dolphin, seal or shark on your adventures.

The most popular dive in the area is The Docks due to its accessibility and suitability for all levels.  You can enjoy some swim throughs and caves on this site.  For experienced divers and the best dive in the area, head to The Arch for some spectacular landscapes.  Also fantastic advanced dives are Drum and Drumsticks and Crocodile Head but beware of the currents.  You might see a Grey Nurse Shark at Point Perpendicular. 

Diving with the seals is an exceptional experience and one not to be missed.  This trip is season dependent and should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.  There are also special shark diving trips on offer too but these are also dependent on the season. 

Spend a few fantastic days on the water and enjoy the very interesting dives on offer.  Be sure to rate the dives so we know which ones you liked best.

 

(By Kelly Luckman)

 

Travel to Jervis Bay

Located in the south-east region of NSW, Jervis Bay is packed with stunning beaches and crystal blue water, national parks with wildlife in abundance and small towns rich in character.  It’s a great place to spend a few days relaxing or taking in the breathtaking scenery around you.

The best way to get there is to hire a car from Sydney and do some sight seeing along the way.  There are trains and buses but it’s quite difficult to get there with a lot of changes so make it easy on yourself and have your own transport.  Jervis Bay is about 180km from Sydney and will take you a little under 3hrs to drive there.

The closest major town is Huskisson which is 10km from the bay where you can get a double room for about $90.  Camping is available in the Booderee National Park from $7 a night but you’ll need to bring all your own equipment.  If you want to stay right on the bay there are some lovely villas and beachfront houses available from $130-$200 a night. 

Most of the activities are designed to highlight the natural beauty of the area.  Take a bush walk through the national park and learn about the local flora and fauna.  Try a surfing, wind surfing or paddle boarding lesson, go on a fishing trip, dive or snorkelling the fantastic sites in the area.  

Check out the Lady Denman Heritage Complex for a look at the unique wetlands environment or head out on the bay to see if you can find a dolphin or two.  There is so much natural beauty in the area that you will truly see some amazing sites of the Australian eco system.  Hyams Beach is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the whitest sand in the world so a stroll along the water’s edge should be on your list of things to see.

Huskisson is the place to dine out and you’ll find a few great options.  There’s a fabulous bakery for breakfast and a few international cuisine restaurants.  Vincentia has a great seafood restaurant where you can taste the local fish or if you want to self cater then the supermarket in Hyams Beach is the place to get supplies.   You might want to consider shopping in Sydney before you get to the area where everything will be cheaper.  There’s no raving nightlife here but you’ll find a bar or two around to enjoy a beer or glass of Aussie wine.

Be sure to check out the local arts and crafts as there’s some really beautiful hand made things to find and the area is full of little shops to find your treasure.

 

(By Kelly Luckman)