Meet the site
The Pinnacles, also called the Twins after the two rock heads that break the surface, is the best-documented ocean dive between Long Reef and Barrenjoey, and one that almost nobody does because it needs a flat sea and a boat. Bangalley Head is the tall, bush-covered headland between Whale Beach and Avalon, and off its tip the sandstone has collapsed into a chaos of house-sized boulders standing on a shelving reef. The dive starts on the north-western side over gentle reef with small boulders and kelp at 8–12 m, which is where the weedy sea dragons are usually found. Moving south-east the bottom steepens and the boulders grow into the Pinnacles proper, reaching from about 18 m up to 5 m and, in two places, above the surface. Between them are swim-throughs and small caves, some ending in sand-floored rooms lit from cracks above. Nothing here is deep: 18 m is the maximum anywhere on the site, and most of the interest is between 8 and 14 m, which makes it a useful contrast to the 40 m-plus wrecks that dominate Northern Beaches boat diving. Fish life is strong on calm days with bream, trevally, sea pike, yellowtail, red morwong and big-eyes in the shade, and the standout is the silver sweep, present in enormous numbers over the boulders. Wobbegongs sit outside the cave mouths. The rock faces carry sponges in the shaded gaps and kelp on the tops. Michael McFadyen's account of a 60-minute drift here on a millpond day describes a first-rate reef dive that ended only when wind and surge arrived, and that is the site's nature: it is excellent when the ocean allows and unavailable most of the time. It suits Open Water divers with drift experience and their own boat, Pittwater club members, and photographers wanting big-boulder scenery in shallow, bright water. Combine it with the Valiant for a Palm Beach day.
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 Pinnacles – Bangalley Head is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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.
- 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.
- 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 The Pinnacles – Bangalley Head 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 The Pinnacles – Bangalley 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
Silver sweep in huge schools, weedy sea dragons, wobbegongs, bream, trevally, sea pike, yellowtail, red morwong, big-eyes, sponges
Location
Cluster of huge boulders and pinnacles, one breaking the surface, off Bangalley Head between Whale Beach and Avalon; reef slopes from 5 m to a maximum of 18 m with swim-throughs and small caves.
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.