Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about diving in Port Stephens
Q: What is the best time of year to dive in Nelson Bay?
A: Diving is good all year round. Fish species are most diverse in late summer, while nudibranchs are most diverse in early summer. Christmas and Easter holidays are very busy and you may have trouble getting accommodation and parking during these periods.
Q: What is the water temperature in the bay?
A: Water temperature varies from 15C in late winter to 22C in late summer. Have a look at http://divingnelsonbay.weebly.com/water-temperatures.html for average and maximum and minimum monthly temperatures. Have a look at https://www.facebook.com/Divingnelsonbay for details of recent conditions in the bay.
Q: What is the visibility in the bay and when is the visibility the best?
A: Visibility varies from 15m on really good days to 1m on really bad days and averages around 7m at high tide. There is no way to know when the visibility will be good in advance, but if there has been flooding rains or strong northerly winds then this usually messes things up. Have a look at https://www.facebook.com/Divingnelsonbay for details of recent conditions in the bay.
Q: Can you only dive on the high tide in Port Stephens?
A: High tide is the best time to dive with the weakest currents and best visibility. Some dives can be done at low tide if water in the bay is really clear, and drift dives are possible on the run in tide. If conditions are calm, then diving on the coast and offshore islands can be done at any time.
Q: I have seen a strange fish/nudibranch that I can’t identify while diving in Port Stephens. Can you help identify it?
A: First have a look at www.portstephensmarinelife.weebly.com, which has photos of over 350 fish species and 120 nudibranch species from Port Stephens. If you can’t find it there then send a photo to [email protected] and I will be happy to try and help.
Q: Are there any dangerous marine creatures that I need to look out for?
A: You should have no problems if you don’t poke, prod, and generally irritate the marine life. Blue-lined octopus are highly venomous. Red Scorpian Cod and stingrays have venomous spines and barbs, and numbrays will give you a nasty jolt if you settle down on top of them. Wobbegong sharks may also bite you if you prod them or pull their tails.
A: Diving is good all year round. Fish species are most diverse in late summer, while nudibranchs are most diverse in early summer. Christmas and Easter holidays are very busy and you may have trouble getting accommodation and parking during these periods.
Q: What is the water temperature in the bay?
A: Water temperature varies from 15C in late winter to 22C in late summer. Have a look at http://divingnelsonbay.weebly.com/water-temperatures.html for average and maximum and minimum monthly temperatures. Have a look at https://www.facebook.com/Divingnelsonbay for details of recent conditions in the bay.
Q: What is the visibility in the bay and when is the visibility the best?
A: Visibility varies from 15m on really good days to 1m on really bad days and averages around 7m at high tide. There is no way to know when the visibility will be good in advance, but if there has been flooding rains or strong northerly winds then this usually messes things up. Have a look at https://www.facebook.com/Divingnelsonbay for details of recent conditions in the bay.
Q: Can you only dive on the high tide in Port Stephens?
A: High tide is the best time to dive with the weakest currents and best visibility. Some dives can be done at low tide if water in the bay is really clear, and drift dives are possible on the run in tide. If conditions are calm, then diving on the coast and offshore islands can be done at any time.
Q: I have seen a strange fish/nudibranch that I can’t identify while diving in Port Stephens. Can you help identify it?
A: First have a look at www.portstephensmarinelife.weebly.com, which has photos of over 350 fish species and 120 nudibranch species from Port Stephens. If you can’t find it there then send a photo to [email protected] and I will be happy to try and help.
Q: Are there any dangerous marine creatures that I need to look out for?
A: You should have no problems if you don’t poke, prod, and generally irritate the marine life. Blue-lined octopus are highly venomous. Red Scorpian Cod and stingrays have venomous spines and barbs, and numbrays will give you a nasty jolt if you settle down on top of them. Wobbegong sharks may also bite you if you prod them or pull their tails.