Cabbage Tree Bay

Please note: the map is not showing precise sighting locations for Weedy Seadragons as they are classified as Near Threatened by IUCN, just the general area (Weedyland). Please do not insist on chasing them for the perfect picture, if approached they will give you the tail but if you are patient and leave them a couple of minutes you will realize it's not necessary to chase them. Also be mindful of the risk posed by too many strobe flashes. As matter of fact, the best pictures are the ones with exposure set for the background and using the strobes just as a fill light to reveal the beautiful colors, while showing the surroundings and the overhead water as backdrop. A stronger than necessary strobe light make it look like it's night time... the world has already seen plenty of them!Please note: all the GPS locations are in WGS84 datum.

Expand here for the dive site description

This site has already been described in so many places, but we can definitely contribute with something you will not find elsewhere: a map of the so called Right Hand Side (assuming the entry from Shelly Beach).

The map above is an enhanced satellite picture showing the seafloor, overlaid with GPS measurements. Apart from the occasional Grey Nurse shark and sea turtle (most of times a Green Sea Turtle rather than a Hawksbill), the most attractive sighting is definitely the Weedy Seadragon. This is the only shore dive north of the bridge where you can spot one, or more as there have been sightings of up to 6 specimens per dive.

The 4 acoustic receiver poles are what is left from a study on tagged Wobbegongs in 2008-2013, here the research paper.

Photos of the points of interest indicated on the map

A Weedy Seadragon

Motorbike 1
-33.799318° 151.295836°

Motorbike 2
-33.798606° 151.295833°

The Big Cube, a point of reference, roughly a cube 3 m wide. From there if you go to magnetic North for 50 m you will enter Weedyland where you may spot a Weedy Seadragon (if you are lucky)
-33.798315 151.296285

Acoustic receiver 1
A data recorder to keep track of large fish with acoustic tag

Acoustic receiver 2
The pole is covered with kelp

Acoustic receiver 3
The pole is covered with kelp


Acoustic receiver 4
The pole is covered with kelp




Sarah the outboard motor, hardly recognizable as such in this photo taken in very low visibility. Hard to see it anyway as it has the same color as the reef. 13.5 m deep at -33.797003 151.296911