Jimmy's Beach in Shoal Bay is a gentle shore dive suitable for beginners. The site features a combination of seagrass beds and reef, with depths ranging from 1 to 5 metres and an average depth of 2 metres. Divers enter directly from the beach, though caution is required regarding the shore break. Visibility varies significantly, ranging from 1 to 15 metres. Species recorded around this area include Ornate Wobbegong, New Holland Seahorse, Pineapplefish, and Eastern Blue Groper. To manage the surf, shuffle your feet during entry and exit and remain in the shallows. Parking is available at the site, though amenities can vary.

Winda Woppa beaches in Shoal Bay offer a tranquil shore dive within the sheltered waters of Port Stephens Bay. The site is defined by extensive seagrass beds that require slow, patient exploration to observe the local marine life. Due to its protection from Pacific Ocean currents, the site features mild water movement, making it suitable for beginners. Water temperatures range from 19°C to 25°C, with the most favourable conditions occurring between November and June. Entry is straightforward from the shore. Facilities available on site include toilets. Please note that this beach is not patrolled by lifeguards, and night diving is permitted.

Cabbage Tree Island, located 1000 metres off Shoal Bay, offers a diverse underwater environment featuring reefs, walls, and seagrass beds. Depths range from 4 to 20 metres, with an average of 10 metres, making it suitable for beginners. Access is by boat only. The western side provides protection from swells, while northern and eastern sides remain exposed. Visibility fluctuates between 1 and 15 metres, influenced by tidal currents. Divers should be aware of surge near the walls, as well as boat traffic and sharks. Water temperatures range from 19C to 24C throughout the year. Facilities including boat charters, equipment rental, and air fills are available nearby.

Halifax Cliffs in Shoal Bay offers a challenging reef and drift dive experience suited to intermediate divers. The site features depths ranging from 5 to 26 metres, with an average depth of 18 metres. Access is via a shore entry, which requires caution due to surf and the presence of sea urchins. Divers should be prepared for strong currents and variable visibility between 1 and 12 metres. Due to the potential for boat traffic, maintaining good buoyancy control and using a surface marker buoy is essential. The site is also accessible for night diving, with typical dive times around 45 minutes. Parking is available at the location.

Halifax in Fingal Bay is a versatile shore dive featuring a mix of reef, wall, and drift environments. Located 30 metres from the shore, the site reaches depths between 5 and 26 metres with an average of 15 metres. Divers must navigate strong tidal currents, making this site suitable for intermediate divers who should plan their dives for slack water at high tide. The entry is via a rough track and rocky, sandy beach. Because the site sits within a busy boating channel, divers should remain submerged until returning to the shallows. Facilities include parking, toilets, showers, and a cafe.

The SS Oakland is an upright, largely intact steamship wreck located 7000 metres off Hawks Nest. Resting at depths between 24 and 28 metres, this site is suited for advanced divers with wreck experience. Divers encounter Spotted Wobbegong, Eastern Blue Groper, Green Moray, and Blind Shark among the iron hull. The site presents overhead environment challenges and requires careful gas management. Visibility typically ranges from 7 to 18 metres. Dives are best timed for slack high tide to mitigate moderate currents. Due to the depth and potential for weakened structural sections, precise buoyancy control is essential. Typical bottom time is 40 minutes.

Little Beach in Fingal Bay offers a diverse underwater environment featuring reef, seagrass, muck, and wreck sections. Located 100 metres from shore, the site reaches depths of 10 to 16 metres with an average of 11 metres. Conditions vary, with visibility ranging from 3 to 20 metres. The site is subject to a mild eddy, and divers should be aware of boat traffic near the marina and jetties. Due to the potential for currents and vessel activity, this site is recommended for advanced divers. Surface markers are essential for all ascents. Facilities include parking, a dive shop, and guided tours.

Fly Point in Fingal Bay is a shore-accessible site featuring a diverse underwater landscape of reef, seagrass, and kelp forest. Depths range from 2 to 26 metres, with an average of 12 metres, making it suitable for beginners. The site is subject to strong tidal currents reaching 1 to 4 knots, necessitating dives at slack high tide. Visibility fluctuates between 1 and 15 metres. Due to frequent boat traffic, divers must ascend close to the shore rather than in the open channel. Facilities include parking and toilets. While shore entry is manageable, local conditions vary significantly, and a briefing is recommended for those unfamiliar with the tidal flow.