Bennett's Head Bommie is an isolated rock formation rising from 10-metre-deep sand to just below the surface, located just off Bennetts Head in Forster, NSW. This 80-metre-long reef is a haven for temperate marine life, featuring a small swim-through cave on the ocean side where moray eels, cuttlefish, and lobsters hide. The bommie is draped in kelp, anemones, and soft corals, attracting red morwong, eastern blue gropers, surgeonfish, and large shovel nose rays, bull rays, and turtles on the surrounding sand. Visibility can reach 30 metres in calm conditions, making it a superb shore-entry snorkel on the Mid North Coast.
Bennett's Head Bommie
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.5 mSwell Period 5.3 sWind Speed 15 knPrecipitation 0.1 mmTidal Phase slack
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Submerged bommie rocks
The bommie sits just below the surface; snorkellers must be careful to avoid being swept onto the rocks by swell.
Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal flows can develop around the isolated bommie structure, especially on incoming or outgoing tides.
Moderate risk: Wind Swell Exposure
The bommie is exposed to ocean swell and requires very calm seas for safe snorkeling — wind chop can create hazardous surface conditions.
Low risk: Ocean swell
Open ocean swell exposure can create challenging entry and exit conditions at the rocky headland.
Low risk: Cold water
Water temperatures range from 18°C in winter to 24°C in summer; cooler months require a wetsuit for comfort.
Low risk: Vessel traffic
Boat traffic in the area near the headland requires vigilance when snorkelling near the surface.
Low risk: Strong Currents
Ocean currents can sweep around the isolated bommie, especially on the seaward side near the cave.
Low risk: Boat Traffic
The site is also a popular dive spot accessed by boats — boat traffic is a hazard for snorkelers swimming offshore.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Located off Bennetts Head, Forster NSW. From the car park at Bennetts Head, follow the path down to the small beach. The bommie is approximately 50-200 metres offshore — swim straight out towards the visible rock formation. In calm conditions this is a shore-entry site.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Bennetts Head Lookout car park, accessible via Head Street, Forster.
parking
Free access.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports