Scuba Diving at Fairlight Beach Sydney (2024)

Fairlight Beach, one of Sydney’s famous beaches for scuba diving, is located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Home to abundant marine life, scuba diving at Fairlight Beach suits divers of all levels.

The weedy sea dragons had other plans for me that day. Shelly Beach was too wild, waves crashing louder than the calls of mermaids. But there is a plot twist! Instead of tears, the dive centre offered a Fairlight Beach shore dive. And guess what? This shipwreck-studded haven was my Sydney diving minimum viable product (MVP). The water wasn’t crystal clear, but it was calm enough to hear my inner scuba siren sing. Who knew tiny wrecks could ignite such passion? So cheers to unexpected detours and hidden underwater treasures!

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Where is Fairlight Beach?

Nestled in the embrace of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Fairlight Beach is a secluded gem waiting to be discovered. Imagine a pocket paradise: just 80 meters of sun-kissed sand cradled by calm turquoise waters. Unlike its bustling neighbours, Fairlight whispers serenity, inviting you to bask in the sun with barely a soul around.

But Fairlight’s charm goes beyond its peaceful shores. A treasure for explorers is tucked beside the beach – a rock pool teeming with life. Let your inner child loose as you discover the wonders hidden beneath the tide pools, each crevice a portal to a miniature underwater world.

So, if you crave a serene escape, Fairlight Beach beckons. Unfold your beach towel in its golden embrace, feel the gentle caress of the waves, and let the whispers of the rock pool carry you away to a world of tranquillity.

How to Get to Fairlight Beach?

By Road

The Fairlight beach is approximately 15 kilometres from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD), and the drive typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

There’s a convenient street car park near the beach. It’s worth noting that a gate leading to the beach may sometimes be closed. In such cases, street parking is available, but it entails carrying all scuba gear for 100 meters from the car.

By Public Transport

Getting to Fairlight Beach from Sydney Central Business District (CBD) can be challenging, relying on buses. Still, the most convenient and straightforward option is to combine a ferry and bus journey.

• Bus – For those opting for buses, the Sydney Road at Thornton Street bus stop is the closest to Fairlight Beach, just a 7-minute walk covering a distance of 600 meters. Buses frequently operate between Milsons Point bus stop and Falcon Street at Bardsley Gardens, taking approximately 10 minutes. A transfer is needed from Falcon Street at Bardsley Gardens to Sydney Road at Thornton Street, with bus number 144 heading to Fairlight Beach.
• Ferry and Bus – Alternatively, the ferry and bus combination offers a scenic route. Ferries run between Circular Quay and Manly Wharf, taking approximately 40 to 50 minutes. From Manly Wharf, catch one of the frequent buses heading to Lauderdale Avenue opposite Woods Parade. The bus number 162 will take you to Fairlight Beach.
• For the latest information on bus routes and timings, it’s advisable to check Transport for New South Wales (NSW).
• Public transport fares can be conveniently paid in Sydney using credit/debit or Opal transportation cards.

By Walk

The most convenient way to access Fairlight Beach is by strolling from Manly Wharf, a 15-minute walk covering approximately 1 kilometre. It’s important to note that this may pose a challenge if you’re carrying scuba diving equipment.

For those opting for a more scenic route, ferries operate between Circular Quay and Manly Wharf, providing a leisurely journey of about 40 to 50 minutes.

Dive Site at Fairlight Beach

Fairlight Beach experienced slightly cloudy weather with intermittent rain during my diving session. Although the visibility wasn’t as exceptional as in some other Sydney dive sites, it still surpassed my previous experiences.

Despite the conditions, I thoroughly enjoyed my dive by concentrating on maintaining precise buoyancy. Amidst the underwater exploration, I encountered an intriguing wreck. I consciously tried to balance my buoyancy and avoid touching the ocean floor, striving to hover just above it throughout the dive.

An abundance of seaweed and sandy terrain characterizes the dive site. It qualifies as a shallow dive with a maximum depth of only 10 meters.

Optimal diving conditions prevail in the mornings, offering a less crowded environment and significantly enhanced visibility.

Logistics

• Type of Dive: Shore dive.
  • Commencing on the eastern side of the beach, the dive site unfolds with a sea floor predominantly covered by seaweed and sandy patches.
  • When embarking on this dive, it is advisable to bring along a torch. This proves to be the most effective method for spotting micro marine life that may be present in underwater surroundings.
  • The dive typically progresses along a wall, providing a unique and engaging underwater experience.
• Dive site: Open (Sea).
• Depth: Maximum of 9 to 10 metres.
• Visibility: While it’s been mentioned that this particular site may not boast the best visibility, my personal experience contradicted this notion. I enjoyed commendable visibility ranging from 3 to 5 meters, allowing me clear views of the underwater wreck. It’s essential to note that ocean conditions and weather factors predominantly influence visibility.
• Ideal for: All level divers, including the beginners.
• Wet suit: Yes (7 mm thickness) advised. The waters in Australia, particularly around Sydney and Melbourne, tend to be on the colder side.
• Current: Very calm. There was hardly any current when I dived.

Facilities

The beach has restroom facilities, serving as convenient changing rooms for visitors.

Marine Life

I received information about giant cuttlefish and octopuses in the vicinity. Additionally, the area is teeming with scorpion and goat fishes. While exploring, I encountered an adorable nudibranch, adding to the diverse marine life. The dive site is reputed for being particularly renowned for these charming nudibranchs.

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Shelly Beach (Manly)
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Wreck

The submerged wreckage observed during the dive belongs to an aluminium speedboat. Notably, the dive affords a view of the engines and prop shafts of the sunken vessel.

Dive Centre and Cost

• Dive Centre: Dive Centre Manly.
• Address: 10 Belgrave St, Manly NSW 2095.
• Cost: Dive Centre Manly offers a membership priced at AUD 100. Upon becoming a member, certified divers can enjoy complimentary shore dives as part of the membership benefits.
• Equipment: Equipment rental, including full gear, is available for hire, and for members, the cost of hiring the complete set amounted to AUD 95.
• Booking: Booking on their website is a straightforward process, and you can easily select and hire equipment at their shop on the day of the dive.

My dive master, Lisa, was excellent and laid-back, creating a delightful diving experience. Diving alongside her and the fantastic group added to the overall enjoyment of this memorable dive.

Is Scuba Diving at Fairlight Beach Safe for Solo Female Divers?

In scuba diving, the golden rule is always to have a buddy, and for beginners like myself, diving with an instructor is the ideal choice. It’s advisable to buddy up with someone more experienced than you. When diving with a reputable dive centre, there’s no need to worry, as they ensure safety and take all necessary precautions.

Solo female travellers can feel assured about the safety of travelling to and from Sydney’s dive site or centre. Overall, Sydney is known for being a very safe city. However, as with any location, it’s advisable to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.

Closing Notes

I strongly desire to revisit Fairlight Beach for another dive, especially when the weather is more favourable. This would allow me to get a clearer view of the wreck and hopefully spot the cuttlefish and octopuses more vividly. While Fairlight Beach may not be considered one of Sydney’s top dive sites, it is an excellent location for honing skills in a tranquil ocean setting.

Throughout my diving experiences around Sydney, I’ve explored various places, and my top favourites include Shelly Beach (Manly), Camp Cove, Bare Island, and Clifton Gardens. Each of these sites holds a special place in my diving adventures.

PIN for later reference – Scuba Diving at Fairlight Beach Sydney