Meet the site
The Pinnacle is Forster's flagship grey nurse shark dive, a submerged rock formation rising from the sandy sea floor a short boat run offshore, and it has built a reputation to rival Fish Rock and Seal Rocks for sheer shark numbers: aggregations of fifty or more grey nurse sharks, some measured up to four metres, have been reported holding around the structure, making it one of the most reliable large-aggregation sites on the entire NSW coast. The pinnacle sits in a depth range of roughly 24 to 33 metres, deep enough to require solid buoyancy control and a genuine advanced-diver comfort level, and its position on open sand means the sharks and the accompanying schools of kingfish and jewfish are visible clearly against a plain, uncluttered backdrop rather than tucked into complex reef structure. Beyond the resident sharks, the site has a track record of more unusual pelagic visitors passing through — marlin and hammerhead sharks have both been recorded here on occasion, a reminder that Forster sits at a point on the coast where warmer subtropical water and cooler temperate water regularly mix. The scale of the shark aggregation, combined with the pinnacle's straightforward, easy-to-navigate shape, makes this one of the standout dives on the mid-north coast for divers specifically chasing a big-number grey nurse encounter, and it is dived daily by Forster Dive Centre when conditions allow. Because the depth sits toward the deeper end of recreational limits, it suits confident, experienced divers rather than those newly certified, and dive guides will typically brief a conservative bottom time to keep well within no-decompression limits given the numbers involved and the temptation to linger.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Pinnacle (Forster) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 The Pinnacle (Forster) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 The Pinnacle (Forster) 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 (up to 4 m, aggregations of 50+), kingfish, jewfish, occasional marlin, occasional hammerhead sharks
Location
A submerged pinnacle off Forster rising from a sandy plain, one of the primary grey nurse shark aggregation sites in the Forster area, with reported aggregations of 50 or more sharks.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.