

Best for technical divers, 19-70m, boat entry, strong current.
Sir John Young Banks is a deep-water reef and pinnacle system located 16 kilometres offshore in New South Wales. The site features a dramatic topography dropping from 19 metres to 70 metres, requiring technical diving skills and careful decompression planning. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 25 metres. Divers must contend with strong currents and potential heavy overfalls, making this site suitable only for experienced divers during excellent sea conditions. Species recorded around this area include Spotted Wobbegong, Grey Nurse Shark, Giant Cuttlefish, Fiddler Ray, Port Jackson Shark, Eastern Blue Groper, Blue Devilfish, Green Moray, Splendid Goniobranch, Reaper Cuttlefish, Stonefish, Smooth Ray, Common Sydney Octopus, and Crested Bullhead Shark.
-34.96667, 150.90000
The site is particularly difficult to find and you definitely need a GPS due to the extreme distance from shore and the difficulties in finding suitable marks.
Access is by private boat or charter, typically launching from the Shoalhaven River mouth (Crookhaven Heads) or potentially Currarong. The trip is approximately 15-18 km offshore and takes 25-35 minutes in good conditions. A GPS is essential to locate the specific reefs.
string
Recorded at this site
Depth
19-70m
Visibility
15-25m
Skill Level
Technical
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
17-21°C
Current
Strong
Best Time
Year-round
Species recorded around this area include Spotted Wobbegong, Grey Nurse Shark, Giant Cuttlefish, Fiddler Ray, Port Jackson Shark, Eastern Blue Groper, Blue Devilfish, Green Moray, Splendid Goniobranch, Reaper Cuttlefish, Stonefish, Smooth Ray, Common Sydney Octopus, and Crested Bullhead Shark.
No, this is a deep, offshore site with strong currents and decompression requirements, suitable only for experienced technical divers.
The reef structure ranges from 19 metres to 70 metres in depth.
This site requires boat access and is located 16 kilometres from the shore.
The site can be dived year-round from January through December, provided sea conditions are excellent.
Diving at Sir John Young Banks in Crookhaven Heads requires the following certifications: Advanced, Technical, Deep, Trimix, Rebreather. Always dive within your training limits.
A 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry is recommended for diving at Sir John Young Banks in Crookhaven Heads. Water temperatures range from 17°C to 21°C.
Divers at Sir John Young Banks in Crookhaven Heads should be aware of sharks. These encounters are generally rare and avoidable with proper awareness. Follow local safety guidance and maintain a respectful distance from all marine life.
Sir John Young Banks in Crookhaven Heads can have strong currents. Advanced experience with drift diving and current navigation is recommended.
Visibility at Sir John Young Banks in Crookhaven Heads typically ranges from 15 metres to 25 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.