The Cod Hole at Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is a world-class dive site just off Cape Byron, the easternmost point of mainland Australia. Unlike the more famous Cod Hole on the Great Barrier Reef, this one features a small underwater arch that opens into a rocky amphitheatre frequented by a resident Queensland groper (giant cod), grey nurse sharks, turtles, wobbegongs, and eagle rays. The adjacent 'shark gutters' — a series of rocky channels at 13–22 m depth — host parading grey nurse sharks, black coral trees and schools of jewfish, barracuda, and giant snapper. Part of the Cape Byron Marine Park, this site offers remarkably rich biodiversity for New South Wales.
Cod Hole (dive site)
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Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 7.0 sWind Speed 2.8 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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© Toytown MafiaThe spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Variable currents and swell
Ocean currents and swell conditions around Julian Rocks can change rapidly, reducing visibility and making navigation challenging.
Low risk: Boat-access only
The Cod Hole is reached by boat only; the site lacks shore access, requiring boat transfer and potentially challenging entry/exit in ocean swell.
Low risk: Grey nurse shark presence
Grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) are present year-round around the shark gutters, peaking in winter and spring. They are generally docile but should not be approached or touched.
Low risk: Depth (13–22 m)
Depths range from 13 m to 22 m, with the deepest sections at the northern end of the gutters. Requires good buoyancy control and dive experience.
Wildlife Guide
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Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Cod Hole is located at Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, approximately 3 km north of Cape Byron, Byron Bay. Access is by boat only — several local dive operators in Byron Bay run daily trips to Julian Rocks.
Parking & facilities
Park at Byron Bay township and meet your dive operator at the boat ramp or jetty.
Boat/dive trip fees vary by operator; no direct entry fee for the site itself.
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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