This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. More information.
Scuba diving South West Rocks is an incredible and unique experience – especially for those with just an Open Water certification. It’s without a doubt one of my favourite dive sites in Australia.
Not only is Fish Rock Cave one of the longest caves you can dive with an Open Water certification (125 metres!), but the site also offers plenty of surprises – from majestic rays to Grey Nurse Sharks and colourful reef life. Learn more about our experience to better plan your trip!
A rocky start
I’ll be honest – I didn’t always have positive feelings about South West Rocks. On our first trip, the swell was rough, I got seasick, and conditions were too dangerous to dive the cave. Visibility was poor, and while we spotted a few sharks, the site didn’t leave a great impression.
But locals and friends insisted it was worth another try. A couple of months later, heading south again, we gave it a second chance – and wow, it was completely different. The ocean was flat, visibility was incredible, and scuba diving South West Rocks immediately shot to the top of my favourite dive sites.
I always double-check that my travel insurance covers scuba diving. This is based on my personal experience and is not financial advice. When I dive regularly, I use DAN (Divers Alert Network). I’ve also found it straightforward to add adventure activities like scuba diving to policies from providers such as Covermore.
Why scuba diving South West Rocks is unforgettable
It’s hard to pick just one highlight, so here are the moments that made our dives at Fish Rock Cave so special:
The small creatures – Fish Rock Cave isn’t just about the big stuff. Nudibranchs, shrimps, sea spiders, and even an anemonefish guarding its eggs made the walls alive with colour and movement. The little anemonefish even nipped my gloved hand – a tiny but memorable reminder to respect marine life.
The air bubble – At 6 metres inside the cave, a natural air bubble allowed us to pop our heads out and even remove our regulators for a quick chat. Surreal!
The bull rays – One rested on the sand, while another swam gracefully past us, forcing me to press against the cave wall to give it space. Seeing these creatures so close was both humbling and breathtaking.
The sharks – Grey Nurse Sharks are the stars here. Sometimes groups gather at the cave exit, creating an unforgettable sight. Despite their intimidating teeth and size, they are harmless. Hammerheads sometimes visit too – a few appeared just days after our dive.
Responsible tip: For your safety and to protect the ecosystem, avoid touching anything underwater. If you need to steady yourself, use only three fingers gently after checking that no eggs or fragile life are on the rock.
Have you dived South West Rocks? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where to stay in South West Rocks
We usually camp at Smoky Cape Campground, not far from the lighthouse.
If camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of options in town. My father stayed at Smoky Cape Retreat near the lighthouse and loved it.
Where is South West Rocks?
South West Rocks is on the New South Wales coast, almost halfway between Brisbane and Sydney.
- From Brisbane: around a 6-hour drive
- From Sydney: around a 5-hour drive
It’s perfect for a long weekend trip. If you’re coming from Brisbane, you might like this road trip itinerary too.
And if you’re chasing Grey Nurse Sharks elsewhere, you’ll also find excellent dives at Wolf Rock (Rainbow Beach), Julians Rock (Byron Bay) and Broughton Island (Port Stephens).
What an amazing experience you’ve had here and it just goes to show that you sometimes have to give things a second chance. I’m not a diver myself but is it common to have air bubbles in caves under water like that? I had no idea this was possible.
Thank you, Mary. It was the first time for me in a bubble cave and it was a surprise. I don’t think it’s common, but I’m not an expert at all in cave diving…
I wish I could dive: your pictures are amazing! Unfortunately I suffer with asthma and I can’t 🙁 Yet I’m going to pass this to my brother in law. He’s a certified diver and I’m not sure he knows about Fish Rock Cave. You’re going to provide one heck of inspiration, thank you!
Oh Danila, I’m sorry you’re not able to dive. Thank you for sharing this post 😀 I hope your brother likes it!
Wow – this looks like such a great site. Australians are always so keen to head off to SE Asia to do diving – and we forget that there are so many places like this in our own backyard. Why not head here instead and enjoy a long weekend out of the city!
Exactly! We’re lucky to have fabulous local dive sites that can even change according to the season! And although diving is quite expensive in Australia, it’s still cheaper than booking a flight to Thailand 😉
This sounds incredible and the photos are beautiful. I’ve never actually heard of bull rays but I’d love to see them. I’ve swum with other rays and it’s magic!
The bull rays are quite common in Australian waters. I’m not sure why they’re named like that, maybe because of their size (it’s a big stingray). I love seeing rays too – but not when they hide in the sand!
The underwater world is always fascinating and so colourful. This was indeed an amazing experience and the photos tell the story. But what intrigued me the most was the presence of an air bubble deep below the water. This is indeed something unique.
Yes! I admit it felt a bit weird and hard to understand 😉