Meet the site
Latitude Rock is Forster Dive Centre's default open-water-level site, a shallow reef sitting comfortably in the twelve-to-fifteen-metre range that gives newly certified and less experienced divers a genuine chance at grey nurse sharks without the depth and current demands of The Pinnacle. Its low-relief rock structure is straightforward to navigate, dropping onto sand at its margins, and while the site does not draw the same scale of shark aggregation as its deeper neighbour, sightings are common enough that Forster Dive Centre includes it as a standard part of the local rotation rather than a fallback. Alongside the grey nurse sharks, Port Jackson sharks are a near-guaranteed find tucked into the rock's ledges and crevices, and wobbegongs of both the ornate and spotted varieties lie motionless on the bottom in good numbers. Loggerhead turtles are regularly encountered here, either resting on the sand or cruising over the reef, adding to a marine life list that makes Latitude Rock a satisfying, easy dive in its own right rather than merely a training ground before the more demanding sites further out. Because of its shallow depth, bottom times here can comfortably run to fifty minutes or more without pushing no-decompression limits, giving divers plenty of time to work the reef thoroughly. This combination of accessibility, shallow depth and a genuinely reasonable shark and turtle sighting record makes Latitude Rock one of the best introductory grey nurse shark dives on the whole NSW coast, and a natural first stop for visiting divers building toward the deeper Forster and Seal Rocks sites.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Latitude Rock is recorded as Reef in Forster & Seal Rocks. 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.
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 Latitude Rock suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Latitude Rock 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
Grey nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs (ornate and spotted)
Location
A shallow reef off Forster, one of the easier local grey nurse shark sites, with Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs and loggerhead turtles at 12-15 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
mudgeediveandtravel.comdiveforster.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.