An island off Port Stephens with one of the most reliable grey nurse shark dives in NSW and the dramatic swim through the Looking Glass.
Visibility at Broughton Island
Visibility at Broughton Island typically ranges from 8 to 25 metres, though it shifts with swell, wind and recent rainfall. Year-round for grey nurse sharks, warmest and clearest in summer and autumn generally offers the best conditions for diving here.
Right now: approximately 7 m, 98% confidence (updated 17:14 AEST).
View the live forecast and 7-day outlook for Broughton Island →
Region: Port Stephens, NSW
Skill Level: Advanced
Depth: 4-21m
Water Temperature: 16-23°C
Visibility: 8-25m
Best Time to Dive: Year-round for grey nurse sharks, warmest and clearest in summer and autumn
Marine Life: Grey nurse sharks gathering at North Rock, sometimes more than 25 at once; Schools of striped trumpeter and mado over the kelp shelf; Bullseyes and roughy packing the shallows; Cuttlefish hiding in the gutters; Wobbegongs under the ledges and rays on the sand; Tropical strays carried south by the East Australian Current in summer.
Hazards: Current runs around the island, strongest at the Looking Glass and North Rock; Depths to around 21 metres on exposed offshore sites; Grey nurse sanctuary, follow the single-file protocol through the Looking Glass and keep clear of the sharks; Exposed to swell, trips depend on conditions, a surface marker buoy is essential.
Facilities: Boat access only, charters run from Nelson Bay; Nelson Bay is the dive hub of Port Stephens, about 2.5 hours north of Sydney; Gear hire and guiding through Nelson Bay operators.
