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Come on an adventure with us!

-Sea turtle snorkel tour
-Turtle School workshop & snorkel
-Turtle School workshop & SCUBA dive
-Whale watching experience (Jun-Oct)

 

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Experience the wonders of Nguthungulli Julian Rocks & Cape Byron Marine Park

Sea Turtle Snorkel Tours

Turtle School workshop & snorkelling

Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Fun Dive

NGUTHUNGULLI JULIAN ROCKS MARINE RESERVE

 Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Nature Reserve is one of Australia’s top sites, lying just 2.5km out from Cape Byron. They are located within the Cape Byron Marine Park where temperate and tropical waters meet, resulting in an incredibly diverse and abundant array of marine life. All our tours are conducted within the Cape Byron Marine Park and  Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Nature Reserve, which is classed as a sanctuary zone, the highest level of protection for natural, cultural and biodiversity features. The marine park contains many subtropical habitats, including protected, threatened and endangered species such as the grey nurse shark and loggerhead turtles.

Julian Rocks is home to over 1000 marine species including sea turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, marine invertebrates, corals, over 500 different species of fish, and an endless list of diverse marine life. There are 6 main sites surrounding the rocks ranging from 6m- 24m, providing an impressive experience for all levels of divers.

More information about the Cape Byron Marine Park and Julian Rocks Nature Reserve can be found on the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

  • The Nursery - The perfect site for new divers and snorkelers with a protected shallow haven of 5-12m. This area is our most commonly dived site, filled with over 500 different species of fish, including many juvenile species and providing a common shelter and feeding ground for our resident green sea, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles.

THE NURSERY

  • The Needles - The Needles is located on the southern end of Julian Rocks and consists of large bombies extending up to shallow depths. It provides the perfect feeding station for manta rays and is a common hang out spot for several leopard sharks in the summer. Currents and the shallow depths of 5-15m here bring large schools of fish, turtles, bull rays and eagle rays all year round.

THE NEEDLES

  • Split Bombie - Large scattered bombies with a unique crevice commonly filled with schooling bullseye fish, large wobbegong sharks and marine invertebrates. This site is suitable for most diving levels and reaches up to 15m depth. In winter, it is common for grey nurse sharks to cruise around this site.

SPLIT BOMBIE

  • Hugo's Trench - Macro heaven! With sheer walls on either side of you, expect to come across a range of small and wonderful creatures such as nudibranchs, spanish dancers, crayfish, mantis shrimp, moray eels, ghostfish, pineapple fish, bubble snails, and more. Don't forget your normal big guys such as bull rays and wobbegong sharks that love to hang out in crevices here too. Depths range from 15m-18m.

HUGO'S TRENCH

  • The Cod Hole - An unmissable dive site for the experienced diver! The Cod Hole is a small underwater cave located on the northern tip and opening up at approximately 15m depth and sloping downwards to a depth of 21m. It provides shelter for grey nurse sharks in the winter, large moray eels, wobbegongs and schooling large pelagic fish.

THE COD HOLE

  • The Cray Cave - A small cave surrounded by large rock outcrops is located on the south-east end of Julian Rocks. It is common to encounter several grey nurse sharks around this site throughout winter, along with wobbegong sharks, cods, turtles, and large bull rays all year round. This site is maximum depth of 25m and is better suited to the more advanced diver.

THE CRAY CAVE

Seasonal Marine Life Graph

NGUTHUNGULLI JULIAN ROCKS TOURS

Join us and experience the wonder of Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, located in the Cape Byron Marine Park. We run daily snorkel tours. Book a tour with us now to experience the underwater brilliance of NJR, learn about sea turtles and don’t miss out on one of Australia’s top 10 dive sites!

OVER 300 "EXCELLENT" REVIEWS ON TRIPADVISOR!

Manta Ray
"DIVE WAS GREAT!"

I did my dive at the Julian Rocks with this dive center and it was great! I got to see a 3m wobbegong shark and heaps of pufferfish.

– Lana C., TripAdvisor
Nudi branch undewater
"GREAT GUIDES!"

We had a great guide and skipper who really made this trip fun. We saw loads of animals including turtles, sharks, bull-ray and even dolphins!

– Sander D., TripAdvisor
"CREW WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT!"

The crew was absolutely great. Helping the customer whenever needed and they took great care of every diver, no matter what level they had.

– Leonie B., TripAdvisor
Turtle and Snorkeller
"PADI DIVING"

My wife and I are both advanced open PADI divers and just had an amazing one hour dive with Byron Bay dive center at Julian Rocks. The guides and staff are very competent and helpful and provided such an excellent service throughout the whole morning.

– Fjord H., TripAdvisor

Acknowledgement of Country

Chelona Adventures & Research and its divisions acknowledge the Arakwal Bumberlin people from the Bundjalung nation as the traditional guardians & owners of the country and sea country upon which we live, work & play. We recognise and respect the connection and communication between the Arakwal Bumberlin people with Binguing (green sea turtle) and all sea country since the dreaming…according to science, over 60 000 years.

We extend that respect to all First Nations elders of this country.