Fish Rock, South West Rocks

Fish Rock Cave is the only true ocean cave dive in Australia, running 125 metres right through Fish Rock – which lies two kilometres south-east of Smoky Cape, South West Rocks. Fish Rock is home to a completely unique ecosystem – including endangered Grey Nurse Sharks. The temperature inside the cave is always at least one degree warmer than the surrounding ocean and the water always clear. Although the Rock is usually prone to current, it is this current that brings the nutrients to the area and attracts the fish life.

The shallow entrance of Fish Rock Cave at a depth of 12 metres is a large naturally lit cavern fringed by pink gorgonian corals and teeming with enough life to fill an entire dive. Throughout the year, Grey Nurse Sharks rest in the shallow entrance of the cave, which is an awesome diving moment for even the most experienced diver! This also presents an unparalleled photographic opportunity for novice and experienced photographers.

Grey Nurse Sharks can be seen at Fish Rock all year round. You can expect to see resident black cod, large Wobbegong sharks, black rays and giant cuttlefish before ascending up one of the two chimneys into the main section of the cave. Around the island the depth varies on average between 15 and 30 metres and deep gutters form perfect aggregation areas for the sharks and other marine creatures who reside here.