Thedeepblue

Shire guide 

Shire guide is designed to put you onto the fish. It describes the how's the when's and the where too's for some of Sutherland Shire's best spearing hotspots. Live coastal video is streamed from web cameras at Cronullas beaches direct to your computer, combining with accurate coastal weather information and surf /swell reports to keep you informed of current conditions.

Shire guide also provides up to date contact information and requirements or restrictions imposed by fishing and land management authorities including the Department of Primary Industries, incorporating NSW Fisheries and the Department of Environment and Climate Change incorporating the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

With the warm currents of summer surrendering to winters icy grip many of the pelagic species are heading north to warmer climates. Instead we can now look forward to Eastern Rock Lobster, the tailor run and large drummer and snapper cruising close inshore.

Cool water seasonal species such as Bastard Trumpeter (Tassies) can now be located in Shire waterways along with large blue nosed Bream, Blue Morwong and Long Snout and Giant Boarfish. Of course a feed of flathead, blackfish, whiting and even jew may still be had as these resident species occur in Botany Bay and other Shire waterways year round.The rare Eastern Blue Devil fish (protected) may also occasionally be seen near Boat Harbour and in Botany Bay at Kurnell.

Speartip  rain, particularly storms will potentially overburden the sewage and waste water systems around Sydney. If in doubt check the Beachwatch web site for an update before heading out. 

Sydney's Sutherland Shire provides remarkable opportunities for land and boat based spearfishing. Located in southern Sydney the Shire's spearable waterways, consist of bays and estuaries (Botany Bay, Boat Harbour and Bate Bay) inshore reef systems (Merries Reef, Osborn Shoals, Jibbon Bommie) and around 25 kilometres of coastline stretching from the Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell to Boat Harbour 4wd Park and the Royal National Park. Typical target species include snapper, bream, luderick, rock-black fish, flathead, tailor, morwong, trumpeter and Australian salmon. In summer, jewfish and yellow tail kingfish are particularly sought after.

Aerial view of Boat Harbour, the Merries Reef and Bate Bay (photograph courtesy Mick Gibbons).

Offshore, Fish Aggregation Devices (FADS), wave rider buoys and rocky reef systems attract a variety of summer fish species including dolphin fish, tuna, billfish and snapper for boat based spearos.

Spearfishing within Sutherland Shire is prohibited in the Towra Point Aquatic Reserve including Quibray Bay, Weeney Bay, Towra Bay and Woolaware Bay, as well as Penrhyn Estuary and Port Hacking (Southern Sydney Recreational Fishing Guide NSWF 1049) from Glashier Point to Port Hacking Point (Jibbon). All public beaches are closed to spearfishers except 20 metres from the headland at either end.

Outside these areas spearfishing is permitted subject to normal conditions.

Speartip Port Hacking provides excellent boat launching facilities at Dolans Bay and Gunnamatta Bay from which you can access the fish rich coastlines, reefs and bays described on this site.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, now The Department of Environment and Climate Change controls much of the public land access to fishing hotspots in the Sutherland Shire. These lands are reserved as either Botany Bay National Park (02) 9668 9111 or Royal National Park (02) 9542 0666

Since changes to the legislation, posession of unloaded spearguns for the purposes of spearfishing is permitted in accordance with the National Parks Regulation 2002 cl 19 (1b), (5) & (7) and Plans of Management for both reserves. Spearguns may however still be prohibited in some parts of the park, eg picnic areas, by way of a notice. Gun bags are a good idea and if in doubt call the number/s provided.

Silver Beach may be accessed via Captain Cook Drive then Prince Charles Parade. Hot spots here include the groynes for luderick and bream and the sand flats for flathead. Park at either at the end of the road ie Bonna Point car park or the car park opposite the National Park.

Dive 1 - beginner level (1-2 hours)
This is one of the best dives in the shire for absolute beginners. Park at the council car park between the Caltex wharf and the National Park and enter the water at the first groyne. Swim north and explore the seagrass beds for flathead. The water here is only 1-4 metres deep so its a good opportunity to get used to the new gear and hopefully bring home a feed. Some pretty big flathead (lizards) have been caught here so be ready for the fish of a lifetime.

Speartip when spearing flathead use a pranger head as it will hold the fish better than a solid tip, hand spears work well.

Dive 2 - intermediate level (2 - 3 hours)
This is also a good dive for beginners with a little more confidence. Park as before and swim toward the National Park looking for flathead along the way. When you reach the green maritime marker you will pick up the reef. Follow this past the monuments and it will drop down to around 10 metres or so. Bream, red morwong and luderick can all be taken on this dive.

Speartip check the shallow reef for bream, sometimes you will find good fish in water less than 1 metre deep

Dive 3 - intermediate level (2-3 hours)
Park at the other end of Prince Charles Parade. Swim out to the closest groyne and explore the caves and edges for luderick and bream and the sand flats for flathead. Visit a few groyne's to see  whats around and don't be too surprised if you come across the odd crayfish.

Speartip best with a short gun either a small pneumatic or rubber powered gun in the 900 to 1 metre size range.

Access to Botany Bay National Park is via Captain Cook Drive. The two broad options are Potter Point (Voodoo) which may be accessed by turning right onto Sir Joseph Banks Drive and following the narrow sealed road to the coast or Inscription Point by following Captain Cook Drive to the end and then following Cape Solander Drive to Inscription Point. Both of these locations are within the National Park so park rules apply. Whilst Voodoo is free, fees apply at Inscription Point currently $7.00 per vehicle (coins needed for machines). Both locations are subject to occassional theft from vehicles so leave your valuables at home. Gates close at 7.00pm amd 7.30pm respectively.

Speartip keep your speargun covered, your rubbers slack and your shaft disengaged when walking through national parks. Your best option is a homemade or purchased speargun bag.

Dive 1 - intermediate (1-2 hours)
Park at the large divers car park adjacent to the main road in the park. Gear up and walk down the staircase to the foreshore (viewing platform a few stairs down). Swim north-west along the reef edge toward the city, return the same way. Here a wall drops off into around 10 metres. You can rely on bream and luderick red morwong on this dive and usually pick up other species like tailor, Australian salmon and blue morwong.

Dive 2 - intermediate (1-3 hours)
Park as above and swim south-east towards the heads. Follow the edge of the reef and check the wash as you go, return the same way or wider out where you will find deeper water to around 15 metres. You will pick up the species mentioned in dive 1as well as rock-blackfish and yellow tail kingfish in summer.

Speartip think about a float with a flag as boat traffic in the bay can be quite busy.

Dive 3 - advanced (1-3 hours)
Drive to Potter Point (see above) park in the carpark and walk to the small rockpool in the bay. Watch the surge here it can get rough very quickly due to the south easterly exposure. Head out toward the small breaking reef (Voodoo) if its a big breaking reef, dive somewhere else, currents can be a nightmare.This dive has its fair share of adventure, deep water, big walls, caves, swim throughs and big fish including kingfish, jewfish huge silver drummer and sharks, pointers, hammer heads and whalers are often confirmed here.

Speartip choose to dive with a buddy, its safer.

Access is via the Boat Harbor 4wd Park (also suitable for 2wd vehicles) off Captain Cook Drive, Kurnell. Day use fees apply, currently $17.00 per vehicle or 6 monthly pass for $85.00 Gates lock at 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 7.00pm Friday to Sunday. This park can get over run on Sundays and Public Holidays. Jet skis, hovercraft and small tinnies are launched from the beach so always dive defensively and always with a float and flag. Usually though its a very quiet location and a great spot to dive.

Dive 1 - beginner (1-2 hours)
Park above the high tide line on the beach on the inward side of Merries Reef., (west of boat harbour). Swim along the reef system and return over the sand to pick up snapper, bream, luderick, flathead, Australian salmon, taylor, red morwong and bastard trumpeter.

Dive 2 - intermediate (2 hours)
Park near Boat Harbour and swim out through the little bay heading left toward Voodoo. Look for rock-blackfish in the wash and snapper and kingfish in summer.

Dive 3 - advanced (3-6 hours)
Park as in dive 2. Swim through the little bay then turn right follow the outside of the reef into deeper water for snapper, jewfish and summer kingfish. Return on the inside of the reef for shallow water species.

Speartip when hunting shy fish do not swim straight for them, rather pretend to ignore them and look away, swim parallel until they present for a shot

Shark Island is a very popular dive site and has been fished by spearos for many years. The fact that it still fishes well, like so many other spear spots in the Shire is an indicator of sustainable fishing practice combined with the behaviour and biology of targetted fish species. 

Park at the end of Roker Road, Cronulla and walk down to the foreshore, you are now only 100 or so metres away from the Island which you can clearly see under all diving conditions. This is a good dive for beginners who can bunker in behind the Island (reef) and avoid the breaking swell or more advanced divers who can venture to the eastern side of the Island in all but rough conditions. Likely fish species include bream, rock-blackfish, red morwong, with seasonal varieties such as tailor, salmon and jew, turning up from time to time.

Speartip  when on the eastern side keep a close eye on your rig line to save it from washing up over the island.

The Royal National Park coastline offers some great land based spearing with a couple of dive hotspots considered here.

Dive 1. Jibbon Bommie - intermediate to advanced (1-2 hours)
Although Jibbon Bommie near the entrance to Port Hacking is best speared by boat, land based access is available by foot from Bundeena along Jibbon Beach (no fees apply). The Bommie should only be speared in calm conditions and is best with off-shore winds. In these conditions this spot is particularly popular with line fishers and can get busy on Sundays and Public Holidays and for good reason, snapper, jewfish, kingfish and marlin have all been taken here.

Speartip  strong swimmers should consider towing a flasher behind their floats in the summer months with the chance of kingfish. Large sharks are frequently sighted here, always dive with a buddy.

Dive 2. Wattamolla - beginner to advanced (1-6 hours)
Access is through the Royal National Park (park use fees apply). Follow Sir Bertrum Stevens Drive to the Wattamolla turnoff. Park in the car park and walk to the Lagoon. Swim from here and plan your dive according to your ability. Dives in the area have great scope with shallow reef over sand and exposed rocky cliffs dropping into deep water.

Speartip  avoid Wattamolla on summer Sundays and Public Holidays, it gets really crowded and is also popular with line fishers who dot the vantage points along the rocks.