The Nursery

Meet the site

The Nursery is the most sheltered dive at the Jervis Bay entrance and the site where many Jervis Bay divers did their first open-water dives. It lies on the inside of the north-western corner of Bowen Island, protected by the island from southerly swell, and is typically dived when the sea is rough elsewhere. Moorings south of the point are used because anchoring appears to be prohibited.

The reef is modest in structure – small walls and isolated rock formations with many small cracks – ranging from 6–9 m on the reef to 3–5 m on top, with the mooring area at 12–14 m. What makes it special is the fish. McFadyen calls it some of the most impressive fish life he has seen anywhere: dense schools of yellowtail and striped seapike, luderick and bream in big numbers, and swarms of one-spot pullers around every rock. Weedy sea dragons, cuttlefish and blue groper are also regularly seen, and Deep 6 describes the sandy bottom with rock formations throughout as ideal for Open Water certification.

The shallow depth allows long bottom times, and the recommended approach is simply to take it slowly and let the fish come to you. It also makes an excellent night dive. In large swells waves can break on the point, and operators may then moor further off. Bowen Island is part of Booderee National Park and a sanctuary zone – no take of anything, and no landing on the island, which hosts a little penguin colony. For beginners, photographers and anyone wanting a relaxed, fish-filled dive, The Nursery is hard to beat.

What you might see

Yellowtail, striped seapike, luderick, bream, one-spot pullers, weedy sea dragons, cuttlefish, eastern blue groper, leatherjackets, wrasse

Location

Sheltered reef of small walls and isolated rocks on the inside of Bowen Island's north-western corner, 3–14 m, with outstanding fish life; the standard Jervis Bay training site.

Facilities nearby

Departure from Huskisson (Dive Jervis Bay shop, air/nitrox, cafés) or Murrays Beach ramp in Booderee National Park (toilets, parking; park entry pass required).