Meet the site
Checkpoint Charlie is one of a string of named anchorages along the outer, ocean-facing cliffs of North Head south of Bluefish Point that the Manly boats use when the swell allows, and Vizzbud gives the clearest description: 'a sharp wall that rises from around 12 metres up toward the surface, then rolls over and slopes away' into a boulder maze of gullies, overhangs and swim-throughs, to a sand line at 26 m. It is the same geology as Bluefish Point and Runway – collapsed sandstone cliff – but arranged as a shelf and drop rather than a slope, which concentrates the fish along the wall and gives photographers a vertical backdrop. The animals are the outer North Head cast at their best. Very large bull rays are the site's signature, resting in the gullies and cruising the sand; wobbegongs and, in winter, Port Jackson sharks pack the overhangs; eastern blue groper follow divers; weedy sea dragons live in the kelp beds on the shelf; giant cuttlefish court along the wall in the cooler months; and schools of reef fish hang under the lip. Sea tulips, sponges and soft corals coat the shaded rock. Grey nurse sharks from Bluefish Valley pass along this face. It is rated Open Water for the shelf and Advanced for the deeper boulder maze; the overhangs and short swim-throughs need a torch and good buoyancy, no-decompression time at the sand line is limited, and current and surge are the routine hazards of the ocean side. Checkpoint Charlie suits divers on a Manly double who want structure and big rays, and it is normally paired with a sheltered inner-North Head site. Documentation is a single Vizzbud page; position and depths are approximate and the name may not be used by every operator.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Checkpoint Charlie (North Head) is recorded as Wall in Sydney Northern Beaches. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Checkpoint Charlie (North Head) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Checkpoint Charlie (North Head) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Large bull rays, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks (winter), eastern blue groper, weedy sea dragons, giant cuttlefish, schooling reef fish, grey nurse sharks (occasional), sea tulips, sponges, soft corals
Location
Boat site on the outer face of North Head south of Bluefish Point: a sharp wall rising from about 12 m toward the surface, rolling over into a boulder maze of gullies, overhangs and swim-throughs sloping to sand at 26 m.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
vizzbud.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.