[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":367},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site":9,"spot-big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site":51},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"title":10,"description":11,"canonical_url":12,"og_image":13,"structured_data":14,"breadcrumbs":44},"Snorkeling Conditions at Big Seal (Seal Rocks dive site) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Big Seal (Seal Rocks dive site), New South Wales. Good conditions, water 20.5°C, waves 0.82m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fbig-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_3_2efb60e34fa5.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Big Seal (Seal Rocks dive site)","Big Seal Rock is a small, rugged offshore outcrop about 100 m from the beach at Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast. Accessed only by boat (a short 10-minute run from the shore), this site is wor...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-32.435255,152.528831,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","New South Wales","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Big Seal (Seal Rocks dive site)",{"@context":16,"@type":32,"itemListElement":33},"BreadcrumbList",[34,39,42],{"@type":35,"position":36,"name":37,"item":38},"ListItem",1,"Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":35,"position":40,"name":26,"item":41},2,"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fbig-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site",{"id":52,"name":18,"slug":53,"latitude":22,"longitude":23,"description":54,"difficulty":55,"image_url":13,"status":56,"tide_constituents":57,"hazard_entries":108,"access_info_structured":272,"area_boundary":118,"routes":118,"created_at":280,"updated_at":281,"today_conditions":282,"today_verdict_view":304,"images":329,"submitted_by":364,"region_name":26,"verification_status":366,"verified_at":118,"disputed":295,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":118},"d86382af-a78f-48e1-8c2f-4d97fa1c5d19","big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site","Big Seal Rock is a small, rugged offshore outcrop about 100 m from the beach at Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast. Accessed only by boat (a short 10-minute run from the shore), this site is world-famous for its grey nurse shark aggregations. The dive site features a series of rocky gutters, boulder fields, and a shallow cave where sharks often shelter. Beyond the sharks, the boulder-strewn bottom is draped with colourful sponges, sea squirts, and small gorgonians, while schools of yellowtail, silver sweep, mado, and leatherjackets drift through the water column. The northern end holds the best shark gutters, with depths ranging from 12 m to 25 m, and a dramatic vertical wall drops away to 35 m on the eastern side.","intermediate","published",{"name":58,"amplitude":74,"phase":90,"latitude":22,"model":106,"epoch":107},[59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],0.019351604322910013,0.011523553033871646,0.17093376288289372,0.03776239902431079,0.512706824401045,0.0054443196644329015,0.0023521153841005943,0.0026699070077518734,0.10745073216483374,0.09226193956435837,0.05014347102241236,0.02196745498087978,0.009639256577448851,0.1292300500917407,0.01039348308012905,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],278.0055635359853,2.8146712826600715,331.2711048463859,313.8873097554166,305.28309507638573,309.6029486312741,127.37728347137954,239.12196012975403,298.8302450869789,300.01379081680955,323.2983233269067,265.1319400515366,319.3421284718966,316.4544322484817,299.7345422651758,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,115,119,125,128,131,134,137,140,143,146,149,152,155,160,163,166,169,172,175,179,182,185,188,191,194,197,200,203,206,209,212,215,218,221,224,227,230,233,236,239,242,245,248,251,254,257,260,263,266,269],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Ocean swells and surge around rocks","Swells can push snorkellers onto sharp barnacle-encrusted rocks. Conditions change quickly around the exposed offshore outcrops.","warning",6,8,{"name":116,"description":117,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Strong currents between rocks","Channel currents can develop between the offshore rocks, especially on outgoing tides, making it difficult to swim back to shore.",null,{"name":120,"description":121,"severity":122,"season_start":123,"season_end":124},"Marine stingers","Bluebottles and occasional box jellyfish may be present during warmer months.","caution",11,12,{"name":126,"description":127,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Wobbegong sharks","These well-camouflaged carpet sharks rest on the seafloor among seaweed. Though not aggressive, they can bite if accidentally stepped on or touched.",{"name":129,"description":130,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Open ocean swell exposure","The rocky outcrop is exposed to ocean swells, particularly from the south-east. Conditions can change rapidly with rougher seas making snorkelling hazardous.",{"name":132,"description":133,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Strong currents around rocks","Tidal currents can run strongly between the shore and the outcrop, especially on an outgoing tide. Swimmers need to be aware of drift.",{"name":135,"description":136,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Sharp rocks and barnacles","Entry and exit points around the rocky outcrop have sharp barnacle-covered rocks. Rash vest, booties and care required.",{"name":138,"description":139,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Grey nurse shark interaction","While generally docile, grey nurse sharks are a protected species. Snorkellers should maintain a respectful distance and not harass or touch them.",{"name":141,"description":142,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Unpatrolled beach","Boat Beach and the surrounding area are not patrolled by lifeguards. No safety signage or rescue equipment is available on site.",{"name":144,"description":145,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Swell \u002F Oceanic Conditions","Lighthouse Beach faces south and is fully open to southerly swells, creating powerful surf and strong rips. Conditions can change rapidly.",{"name":147,"description":148,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Sharp Rocks & Reef","The offshore rocky outcrop and surrounding reef have sharp, barnacle-encrusted edges. Care required when entering and exiting the water.",{"name":150,"description":151,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Marine Wildlife (Sharks)","Grey nurse sharks aggregate year-round at this site. While generally docile, their presence demands respect. Also home to wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks.",{"name":153,"description":154,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"4WD Traffic on Beach","Vehicle access for boat launching on Boat Beach means snorkellers need to be aware of vehicles entering and exiting the water.",{"name":156,"description":157,"severity":112,"season_start":158,"season_end":159},"Ocean swell and surge","Exposed offshore reef can experience significant swell and surge, especially in southerly winds.",5,9,{"name":161,"description":162,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Strong tidal currents","Tidal currents around the reef can be strong and unpredictable, particularly during outgoing tides.",{"name":164,"description":165,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Boat traffic","Popular with dive boats and private vessels — stay vigilant when surfacing.",{"name":167,"description":168,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Sharp reef and rock ledges","Sharp barnacle-encrusted rocks at the waterline can cause cuts during entry and exit.",{"name":170,"description":171,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Strong currents at Treachery Beach","Treachery Beach and Lighthouse Beach can develop powerful rip currents and surf conditions unsuitable for snorkeling. Stick to Boat Beach for safe conditions.",{"name":173,"description":174,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Limited parking at Boat Beach","The small carpark on the headland above Boat Beach fills quickly in peak season and holiday periods, requiring an early arrival or a longer walk.",{"name":176,"description":177,"severity":178,"season_start":43,"season_end":123},"Large Ocean Swell","Exposed location receives significant Southern Ocean swell, creating rough surface conditions and surge around the rocks.","danger",{"name":180,"description":181,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Strong Riptides & Currents","Tidal flows around the islet produce powerful rips and unpredictable currents.",{"name":183,"description":184,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Sharp Barnacle-Covered Rocks","Granite boulders and rocky ledges around the islet are encrusted with sharp barnacles and shellfish.",{"name":186,"description":187,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Shark Presence","Seal colony nearby can attract larger sharks in the area.",{"name":189,"description":190,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Depth and sudden drop-offs","Eastern side drops dramatically from 15 m to 35 m; strong descent can disorient inexperienced snorkellers\u002Fdivers.",{"name":192,"description":193,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Overhead environment (cave\u002Fgutter)","The shark gutter ends in a small cave\u002Foverhang; limited overhead clearance and potential silt-out if stirred.",{"name":195,"description":196,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"East Australian Current","Strong north-to-south current flowing past the exposed reef, requiring a surface marker buoy and careful navigation.",{"name":198,"description":199,"severity":122,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Offshore swell exposure","Little Seal Rock is fully exposed to prevailing ocean swells, which can create hazardous surface conditions.",{"name":201,"description":202,"severity":178,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Depth and decompression risk","Snorkelers venturing deep (15-26 m) risk shallow-water blackout; this site is primarily for advanced divers.",{"name":204,"description":205,"severity":122,"season_start":158,"season_end":159},"Cold water temperature","Water temperatures range 18–24°C, with winter temps as low as 18°C increasing hypothermia risk on long excursions.",{"name":207,"description":208,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Surf and swell conditions","Exposed beaches can experience strong waves and rips, especially when the southerly swell is up. Conditions change quickly.",{"name":210,"description":211,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Rip currents","Rips are common on the open beaches around Seal Rocks and can be dangerous for inexperienced snorkellers.",{"name":213,"description":214,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Rocks and reef","Rocky headlands and shallow reef edges near Boat Beach require care when entering and exiting the water.",{"name":216,"description":217,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Limited facilities","Remote location means no lifeguards, limited mobile reception, and no nearby medical facilities.",{"name":219,"description":220,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Grey nurse shark presence","While generally docile, grey nurse sharks are a protected species that aggregate around the rocky outcrop. Snorkellers should maintain a respectful distance and avoid sudden movements.",{"name":222,"description":223,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Ocean currents and swell","Exposed to ocean conditions, the area around the rocky outcrop can experience moderate currents and swell, particularly on incoming tides and during southerly winds.",{"name":225,"description":226,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Rocky reef terrain","The snorkelling area around the offshore rocks has uneven reef bottoms with kelp and crevices. Snorkellers should wear reef shoes and take care entering and exiting.",{"name":228,"description":229,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Ocean swells and rip currents","Lighthouse Beach faces south and is fully exposed to southerly swells; strong rips can develop. Not recommended for inexperienced swimmers.",{"name":231,"description":232,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Rocky outcrops","Sharp rocks and reef surround the snorkelling areas near Statis Island and the main outcrop. Wear reef shoes and watch your footing.",{"name":234,"description":235,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Depth changes","The sea floor drops dramatically from 12 m to 25–35 m on the eastern side of the island, which can surprise less experienced snorkellers.",{"name":237,"description":238,"severity":122,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Grey nurse sharks","Grey nurse sharks (critically endangered) are the main attraction and may be encountered in gutters and caves; they are generally docile but should be treated with respect and not startled.",{"name":240,"description":241,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":114},"Strong ocean swells","The eastern side of Big Seal Rock is exposed to open ocean swells, creating potential surge conditions around the island.",{"name":243,"description":244,"severity":178,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Strong East Australian Current","The EAC runs north to south past Little Seal Rock and can sweep snorkellers away from the anchor line. A surface marker buoy is essential.",{"name":246,"description":247,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Prevailing Ocean Swell","The exposed offshore location receives the full force of southerly swells, creating challenging conditions on all but the calmest days.",{"name":249,"description":250,"severity":178,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Unpatrolled Waters","No lifeguard or patrol services at this remote offshore site. Self-reliance and a buddy system are mandatory.",{"name":252,"description":253,"severity":178,"season_start":36,"season_end":124},"Depth & Decompression Risk","Snorkelling the reef at 15–26 m depth carries significant risk of shallow-water blackout and requires excellent fitness and freediving experience.",{"name":255,"description":256,"severity":122,"season_start":158,"season_end":159},"Funnelled swell in narrow gap","Swell can become problematic in the narrow channel between Status Rock and the headland, especially in southerly conditions.",{"name":258,"description":259,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Straying onto open sand","Navigating back to the reef can be difficult if you stray too far onto the sandy bottom away from the rock structure.",{"name":261,"description":262,"severity":178,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Deep depths (24–35 m)","Jimmy's Cave is a deep, fully enclosed cave dive\u002Fsnorkel site requiring advanced experience; depths range from 24 m at the rubble pile entrance down to 35 m in the main cave.",{"name":264,"description":265,"severity":178,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Enclosed cave environment","The cave is a fully enclosed system with narrow chimney passages and multiple exits — disorientation and entrapment risk without a guide.",{"name":267,"description":268,"severity":112,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Strong ocean currents","The Seal Rocks area can experience strong tidal currents and ocean swells, particularly around the offshore islands and cave openings.",{"name":270,"description":271,"severity":122,"season_start":118,"season_end":118},"Low visibility zones","Inside the cave and chimney passages, silt and particulate matter can reduce visibility significantly when stirred up.",{"directions":273,"parking":274,"facilities":275,"fees":278,"access_method":279},"From Forster, drive 42 km south to Seal Rocks village (35–40 min). Meet dive operators at the beach launch point near the caravan kiosk. The boat ride to Big Seal Rock takes about 10 minutes from the beach.","Limited street parking available near the Seal Rocks beach launch area. Arrive early during peak season (summer holidays) as spaces fill quickly.",[276,277],"toilets","parking","No site fee, but access requires booking with a licensed dive operator out of Forster (e.g., Dive Forster or Forster Dive Centre). Boat charter\u002Fdive trip fees apply — typically $100–$180 per person.","boat","2026-07-27T02:55:29.632854Z","2026-08-04T05:36:16.070618Z",{"verdict":283,"evaluated_at":284,"models":285},"go","2026-10-03T02:19:57.424481Z",[286,293,299],{"model_name":287,"is_favourable":288,"value":289,"threshold":290,"unit":291,"operator":292},"Wind Speed",true,1.68,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":294,"is_favourable":295,"value":296,"threshold":297,"unit":298,"operator":292},"Wave Height",false,0.816,0.5,"m",{"model_name":300,"is_favourable":295,"value":301,"threshold":40,"unit":302,"operator":303},"Visibility",1.62,"","gte",{"verdict":283,"rating":305,"evaluated_at":284,"generated_at":284,"source":306,"confidence":307,"visibility":310,"parameters":311,"models_passed":43,"models_total":158},"Good","precomputed",{"level":308,"value":309},"High",100,{"score":301,"rating":118,"confidence":118},[312,314,318,321,326],{"name":294,"value":313,"label":118,"unit":298,"favourable":295,"score":36,"optimal_max":297,"marginal_max":36},0.8162456161034183,{"name":315,"value":316,"label":118,"unit":317,"favourable":295,"score":36,"optimal_max":114,"marginal_max":124},"Swell Period",8.6,"s",{"name":287,"value":319,"label":118,"unit":291,"favourable":288,"score":43,"optimal_max":290,"marginal_max":320},1.6822619942611472,15,{"name":322,"value":323,"label":118,"unit":324,"favourable":288,"score":43,"optimal_max":158,"marginal_max":325},"Precipitation",0.1,"mm",20,{"name":327,"value":118,"label":328,"unit":302,"favourable":288,"score":43,"optimal_max":118,"marginal_max":118},"Tidal Phase","slack",[330,337,344,348,355,360],{"id":331,"image_url":13,"sort_order":43,"is_primary":288,"moderation_status":332,"license":333,"license_url":334,"attribution":335,"author_name":336},"d91f89fa-492c-4d50-9bd3-f49b9f7e1ac3","approved","CC BY-SA 2.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F2.0\u002F","Photo by Richard Ling","Richard Ling",{"id":338,"image_url":339,"sort_order":36,"is_primary":295,"moderation_status":332,"license":340,"license_url":341,"attribution":342,"author_name":343},"3fc7f66a-2d1e-45f5-a730-808a75fd328f","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_1_9bc03c154b78.jpg","CC BY-SA 4.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F4.0\u002F","Photo by Maksym Kozlenko","Maksym Kozlenko",{"id":345,"image_url":346,"sort_order":347,"is_primary":295,"moderation_status":332,"license":340,"license_url":341,"attribution":342,"author_name":343},"37891769-c0ca-4f8d-b6d5-0d53caa78bcf","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_4_cbd6d8023a62.jpg",4,{"id":349,"image_url":350,"sort_order":158,"is_primary":295,"moderation_status":332,"license":351,"license_url":352,"attribution":353,"author_name":354},"2052f242-9b01-4e61-832a-0c6e8dd43389","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_5_57d9318a9315.jpg","CC BY 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by Chad Ajamian","Chad Ajamian",{"id":356,"image_url":357,"sort_order":113,"is_primary":295,"moderation_status":332,"license":340,"license_url":341,"attribution":358,"author_name":359},"b62a72fa-1884-4412-b310-78cfd0ec5977","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_6_4f80d587d7d4.jpg","Photo by Cabrils","Cabrils",{"id":361,"image_url":362,"sort_order":363,"is_primary":295,"moderation_status":332,"license":333,"license_url":334,"attribution":118,"author_name":118},"7764eb8a-5f4c-4733-8bb4-08ad8562cd46","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_big-seal-seal-rocks-dive-site_7_e9ffdb2ed343.jpg",7,{"display_name":365},"Daniel","unverified",1791009130846]