Meet the site
Marley Point North is the northern companion to Marley Point, about 5 km south of Port Hacking on the Royal National Park coast, and McFadyen rates it an excellent dive. The reef is narrow here, which dictates how and when it can be dived: the boat anchors in 10–12 m close to shore and must hang away from the rock platform, so only north-west to westerly winds will do, and anything from the north-east to south-east rules it out. In practice it is a winter site. From the anchor, the reef runs north-east to sand at about 18 m, with deeper sandy areas dropping to over 21 m and the reef edge at about 20 m. Closer in, the rock platform extends underwater at 8–10 m and is cut by swim-throughs and gullies, before curving west back towards the anchorage. The sand holds Port Jackson sharks, rays, angelsharks and possibly stargazers. On the reef are one-spot pullers, black reef leatherjackets, several species of wrasse and bream, while the shallows swarm with yellowtail, seapike, pomfret, luderick and silver sweep, with large silver drummer and even kingfish. Sponges decorate the deeper sections. Visibility is usually better than the Sydney average. The combination of a sand-edge route and a shallow return through swim-throughs makes for a varied, relaxed dive with plenty of no-decompression time. There is no charter, so it is a private-boat or St George Scuba Club dive. It suits Open Water divers with boat experience on the right winter day, and it pairs naturally with Marley Point.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Marley Point North (Royal National Park) is recorded as Reef in Sydney South & Botany Bay. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Marley Point North (Royal National Park) 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 Marley Point North (Royal National Park) 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
Port Jackson shark, rays, angelshark, stargazer, one-spot puller, black reef leatherjacket, wrasse, bream, yellowtail, seapike, pomfret, luderick, silver sweep, silver drummer, yellowtail kingfish, sponges
Location
Narrow reef and rock platform north of Marley Point, about 5 km south of Port Hacking; anchor 10–12 m, sand at 18–21 m, swim-throughs and gullies in the shallows.
Facilities nearby
Departure only: Port Hacking ramps – Tonkin Park/Gunnamatta Bay (Cronulla), Lilli Pilli, Bundeena – with parking and toilets; air/nitrox at Pro Dive Cronulla and Abyss (Ramsgate).
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
