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JULIAN ROCKS MARINE RESERVE

Julian Rocks Nature Reserve, traditionally known as “Nguthungulli”, is one of Australia’s top dive sites, lying just 2.5km out from Cape Byron. Julian Rocks is 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 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 dive 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.

Different of fish and corals
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

A close up view of massive manta ray fish
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

Wobbegon sharks
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

A collage of nudi branch
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

close up shot of grey nurse shark
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

Closed up underwater shot of bull ray
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