The Steps Drift

Diving The Steps Kurnell: Sydney’s Shore Diving Gem

By ScubaDownUnder Team · 2025-08-24

The Steps at Kurnell is one of Sydney’s most beloved shore dives. Part of Botany Bay National Park, this site consistently delivers incredible encounters for both local and visiting divers. With its easy access, diverse marine life, and high chance of spotting the famous weedy sea dragons, it has earned a reputation as one of the best macro and critter dives in Australia.

What makes The Steps so alluring is that it offers something for everyone. Beginners can enjoy a calm shore entry on the right tide, while more experienced divers relish the critter hunting, photography opportunities, and occasional big fish that patrol the sand line. It is a dive where every time you descend, you feel as if you are about to discover something new.

### Getting There and Entry

Located inside Botany Bay National Park, The Steps is a short drive from central Sydney. Parking is limited and fills quickly on weekends, so it is worth arriving early. A short walk takes you to the rocky shoreline, where the entry is made via a small concrete staircase cut into the rocks the site’s namesake.

The entry and exit are tide dependent. Lets face is they can be a bit tricky. Best conditions are usually on a high tide with minimal swell, as low tide can expose slippery rocks and make entry trickier. Once in, you descend into shallow water before making your way out toward the sand line where the real magic happens.

### Conditions and Depth The Steps is generally a shallow dive, with an average depth of 8–14 metres. This makes it perfect for long bottom times and photographers who want to linger over subjects. Visibility varies but is often between 5–12 metres, improving after a few days of calm weather.

Currents are usually mild, though surge can be noticeable when swell pushes in from the south. Because of its shallow profile, it is also a forgiving dive for air consumption, allowing even novice divers to get long dives in

### Marine Life Highlights

The Steps is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. Its reputation is built on three pillars, dragons, critters, and surprises.

**Weedy Sea Dragons:** The crown jewel of The Steps. These elegant relatives of seahorses are often found camouflaged among kelp and seagrass near the sand line. Divers come from all over the world to photograph them in this site.

**Seahorses and Pipefish:** The pylons, kelp fronds, and sponges are home to White’s seahorses and pipefish. They can be tricky to spot but are worth the search.

**Octopus and Cuttlefish:** The Steps is full of common Sydney octopus and cuttlefish, both masters of disguise. Watch them change colour and texture as they shift between rocks.

**Macro Critters:** This site is a macro photographer’s paradise. Nudibranchs, decorator crabs, frogfish, and shrimp are common finds. Each dive reveals something new.

**Big Visitors:** It is not only small critters. Wobbegong sharks often rest under ledges, blue gropers follow divers in curiosity, and rays glide gracefully along the sand. On occasion, schools of kingfish and even dolphins have been spotted.

### Dive Experience

Descending at The Steps feels like entering a natural aquarium. The dive usually follows a simple route: swim out along the sand line and then back along the rocky reef. This layout means navigation is straightforward, and it is almost impossible to get lost if you stay aware of depth and reef contours.

Photographers often find themselves glued to one spot for an entire dive, exploring the nooks and crannies for macro life. Meanwhile, casual divers enjoy cruising slowly and watching for the dragons among the kelp.

Because the site is shallow and relatively calm, it is also an excellent training site for buoyancy practice, photography skills, and long dives. Many divers record 70–90 minute bottom times here without difficulty.

### Tips for Diving The Steps

* **Check the tides:** High tide makes entry and exit much easier. * **Arrive early:** Parking is limited, especially on weekends. * **Bring a torch:** Even in the day, a torch helps spot camouflaged critters. * **Take your time:** The site rewards slow, patient exploration. * **Respect the wildlife:** Weedy sea dragons are protected, enjoy them without touching or disturbing.

### Why It Stands Out

Sydney boasts many shore dives, but The Steps remains a standout for three reasons. First, it has one of the highest reliabilities for weedy sea dragon sightings anywhere in the country. Second, its macro opportunities are unmatched, rivalling tropical muck diving sites in Asia. Third, it combines accessibility with diversity, a shallow, easy entry dive that consistently delivers world-class encounters.

Many divers describe The Steps as a site where their passion for marine life deepened. For photographers, it is the place to refine technique. For new divers, it is a forgiving training ground. For experienced locals, it is a site they never tire of.

The Steps at Kurnell is not just another shore dive. It is a window into Sydney’s extraordinary underwater biodiversity. Whether you are searching for weedy sea dragons, hunting for nudibranchs, or simply enjoying a long relaxed dive in shallow waters, The Steps delivers on every dive.

It may not have the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef, but what it offers is something more intimate, a dive that rewards patience, attention to detail, and a sense of wonder.

For anyone diving Sydney, The Steps is unmissable.

### Sources

* [NSW National Parks, Botany Bay](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/botany-bay-national-park) * [Dive Log Australia, The Steps Kurnell](https://divelog.com.au) * [Sydney Dive Charters, Shore Diving Sites](https://sydneydivecharters.com.au)

---

*Planning a NSW dive trip? See our [region-by-region guide to the best places to dive in NSW](https://www.scubadownunder.com/blog/best-places-to-dive-in-nsw) for the full overview of dive sites across the state.*