Sydney's Best Snorkelling (Destination NSW Film)

Описание: Sydney has some of the best snorkelling in Australia, and this is your guide to some of the best spots!

My team and I shot this project for Destination NSW to give Sydneysiders a guide to some of the best snorkelling in their own backyard. There's a lot to see, and with international and interstate travel still remaining questionable now's the time to discover what's just around the corner!

First up on the list (north to south) is Palm Beach. This spot is absolutely stunning, offering some more 'secluded' beaches, nice hiking, awesome waves, nice cafe's but most importantly some fairly unknown snorkelling! The wildlife here is one of Sydney's best offering a range of Giant Cuttlefish, Octopus, and most impressively a large population of friendly Bull Rays (we saw 5+ on a single snorkel here!). Swim out just past the pool on the south side and hug the rocks. Alternatively in small swell you can also snorkel the north side again hugging the rocks.

Next we have Shelly Beach, Manly. This is a fan favourite and one of Sydney's more known spots but for good reason. It's home to range of different wildlife from aggregations of Giant Cuttlefish and Juvenile Dusky Whaler Sharks in the cooler months, to Eagle Rays, Nudibranchs, Wobbygong Sharks (literally everywhere), Blue Grouper and plenty more!

Following this up is Clifton Gardens, a Seahorse Haven! For anyone out there who hasn't yet seen a Seahorse this is the spot for you! The entire site is unusually shallow and is perfect for snorkeling. Better yet it's home to an enormous population of the endangered Sydney Whites Seahorse, and a few rarer Pot Bellied Seahorses as well as a number of more unique animals including Octopus and Frog/ Angler Fish. It's really an epic site! Swim out along the swimming net and look for Seahorses clinging to the netted area.

Following this up we have Clovelley and Gordens Bay. These are also very popular sites due to their close proximity to the city and also as they're extremely beginner friendly. Clovelley pool offers a very protected and shallow site for beginners to try snorkelling 'in the ocean' but in the confines of a very large natural rock pool. There's plenty of fish, and some very friendly Blue Grouper that reside here as well as a number of rays. Gordens Bay, just around the corner offers similar wildlife in a more open space, which attracts some larger animals including larger rays and Port Jackson and Wobbygong Sharks.

Next up we have the set from Mission Impossible II... I mean Sean Patrick Ambrose's lair... I mean Bare Island. This spot is as spectacular above water as it is underwater! Be sure to grab a few shots of the island before entry and then jump in. We got in at Congwong Beach just next to the island to make things simple for us, and we snorkelled out over the shallows under the bridge and onto the right hand side of the island. Keep an eye out for Port Jackson Sharks, small Cuttlefish, fish and Grouper and on a clear day some of Sydney's most spectacular sponge gardens. You can also snorkel the left hand side of the island, and depending on the day one side usually has clearer water than the other.

Going further south is Oak Park down in the Sutherland Shire. Oak Park offers snorkellers an incredible shallow ocean world. Swim out past the swimming pool and follow the rock wall/ledge. Keep an eye out for one of the many resident Green Sea Turtles, large rays, colour sponge gardens and the resident school of Old Wives who have lived there for at least the last decade!

Our final stop is down in the Royal National Park in Wattamolla. This spot isn't only a drop dead gorgeous waterfall, it's an awesome beginner friendly snorkelling spot! For those who are less confident in the water, try snorkelling in the lagoon to start. There's plenty of small fish, an awesome waterfall and most importantly it's super shallow. If you're a little more experienced head out into the deeper waters off Wattamolla Beach for some larger life such as rays, Kingfish, and Port Jacksons.

Hope you enjoyed this list and this gives you the inspiration you need to get snorkelling in Sydney! There's plenty to see.

Thanks again to the team at Destination NSW for allowing us to do this epic project!

For more visit my website: www.tomparkphotography.com
& check out my Instagram www.instagram.com/tomsunderwaterphotography

Camera Gear Used:
Sony A7III
Atomos Ninja V
Sony 16-35mm f4
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Art
Sony 50mm f1.8
Sony 18-105mm G F4
Sigma 35mm F1.4
Sea&Sea Underwater Housing and Domes
OrcaTorch D950v and D910v Video Lights
Zhiyun Weebill S Gimbal
DJI Mavic Drone