[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":235},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-dragon-rock-tollgate-islands":9,"spot-dragon-rock-tollgate-islands":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 Dragon Rock (Tollgate Islands) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Dragon Rock (Tollgate Islands), Victoria. Good conditions, water 19.3°C, waves 0.09m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fdragon-rock-tollgate-islands","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_dragon-rock-tollgate-islands_0_bead4fb91ed8.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Dragon Rock (Tollgate Islands)","Dragon Rock, also known as the Shark Gutter, sits just off the protected Tollgate Islands Nature Reserve at the mouth of Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast. This shallow rocky reef, reaching a max...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-35.751523,150.257758,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","Victoria","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Dragon Rock (Tollgate Islands)",{"@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=victoria",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=victoria",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fdragon-rock-tollgate-islands",{"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":168,"area_boundary":137,"routes":137,"created_at":176,"updated_at":177,"today_conditions":178,"today_verdict_view":199,"images":224,"submitted_by":232,"region_name":26,"verification_status":234,"verified_at":137,"disputed":195,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":137},"f921a7da-33e2-44ba-9aea-6347341e6214","dragon-rock-tollgate-islands","Dragon Rock, also known as the Shark Gutter, sits just off the protected Tollgate Islands Nature Reserve at the mouth of Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast. This shallow rocky reef, reaching a maximum depth of 14 metres, is one of the region's premier sites for encountering Grey Nurse Sharks in their natural habitat. The underwater terrain features rock gutters and sandy patches that attract a diverse range of temperate reef fish. Accessible only by boat or kayak, the site offers clear waters in good conditions and is popular for both snorkelling and diving. The islands themselves are a protected seabird sanctuary — landing is prohibited — but the waters around Dragon Rock teem with marine life, particularly from late summer through autumn when Grey Nurse Sharks aggregate in the gutters.","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],0.02519452450829387,0.009356570992767578,0.16455090984011778,0.04033491999082246,0.47404189739329305,0.003871341079250067,0.006416137636440164,0.0015966949847430545,0.11342676673146201,0.09323910212872868,0.04433933868916686,0.022806593182548345,0.0029386697766654642,0.10191517089834279,0.008314033226091689,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],270.3422838926567,359.82998517184853,323.8957844332665,311.0621641519068,308.6744831728588,223.57865589754002,201.6605184550917,323.8637768083818,299.8275508427365,291.50718460460473,312.0390623031783,275.291338124513,46.22705668453107,326.72060896145524,349.21208289658364,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,118,123,126,131,134,138,141,144,147,150,153,156,159,162,165],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":113},"Strong ocean currents","The site sits at the mouth of Batemans Bay where tidal flows and ocean swells can create ripping currents, especially on an outgoing tide.","warning",12,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":113},"Boat traffic","Boat-only access means snorkellers share the area with fishing and recreational vessels entering and exiting Batemans Bay.","caution",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":112,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Swell exposure","The exposed position near the island group can experience sudden large swells from the Tasman Sea, making conditions unpredictable.",6,8,{"name":124,"description":125,"severity":112,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Swell and choppy conditions","Exposed location means ocean swells and wind chop can develop quickly, especially in southerly winds.",{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":117,"season_start":129,"season_end":130},"Cold water temperatures","South coast NSW waters are cool year-round, with winter temperatures dropping below 15°C, requiring a wetsuit.",5,10,{"name":132,"description":133,"severity":117,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Variable visibility","Visibility can range from 5 m to 30 m depending on swell, wind, and recent weather. Check conditions before heading out.",{"name":135,"description":136,"severity":117,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Cool water temperatures","Winter water temps drop to 13–14°C; even in summer (20–22°C) a 5 mm wetsuit with hood is recommended for extended snorkel sessions.",null,{"name":139,"description":140,"severity":112,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Marine park restrictions","Dragon Rock is a sanctuary zone — strict guidelines apply, including no-take rules. Fines apply for non-compliance.",{"name":142,"description":143,"severity":117,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Currents around islands","Tidal flows can create moderate currents around the island structure and bommies. Drift diving \u002F snorkelling awareness recommended.",{"name":145,"description":146,"severity":112,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Ocean swells and exposed conditions","The islands are exposed to the Tasman Sea; swell and wind can create challenging conditions for snorkellers.",{"name":148,"description":149,"severity":112,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Strong currents","Tidal currents can run strongly through the gutters and around Dragon Rock.",{"name":151,"description":152,"severity":112,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Remote location","Offshore site with no immediate shore access; requires boat support and emergency preparedness.",{"name":154,"description":155,"severity":112,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Open ocean swell exposure","The islands sit exposed to the Tasman Sea; large swells can create challenging conditions, strong surge, and reduced visibility.",{"name":157,"description":158,"severity":117,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Marine stingers","Bluebottles and occasional jellyfish can be present, especially during warmer months.",{"name":160,"description":161,"severity":117,"season_start":121,"season_end":122},"Swell and surge","The reef drops quickly to 21 m and can experience ocean swell, surge around the tunnel\u002Fcave areas, and strong currents on rougher days.",{"name":163,"description":164,"severity":117,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Sharp reef edges","Igneous rock reef with jagged edges and urchin-covered crevices; wear booties or fins with foot protection.",{"name":166,"description":167,"severity":112,"season_start":137,"season_end":137},"Depth change","The reef edge drops sharply from 9 m to 21 m; snorkelers should be aware of rapid depth changes and monitor their ability accordingly.",{"directions":169,"parking":170,"facilities":171,"fees":174,"access_method":175},"Located approximately 5 km east of Batemans Bay at the mouth of the Clyde River, surrounding the Tollgate Islands. Launch from Batemans Bay boat ramp (Hanging Rock boat ramp) or join a local dive charter from Batemans Bay or Broulee. Kayak access is also possible from Batemans Bay beaches (approximately 3–4 km paddle).","Parking available at Hanging Rock boat ramp off Beach Road, Batemans Bay. Additional street parking near Corrigans Beach Reserve.",[172,173],"parking","boat_ramp","No fee to snorkel the site. Tollgate Islands Nature Reserve is free to visit (waters only — landing on the islands is prohibited). Dive charters charge a fee.","boat","2026-07-27T02:54:36.602676Z","2026-08-04T05:37:15.121148Z",{"verdict":179,"evaluated_at":180,"models":181},"go","2026-10-03T02:17:42.268323Z",[182,188,193],{"model_name":183,"is_favourable":184,"value":185,"threshold":130,"unit":186,"operator":187},"Wind Speed",true,1.61,"kn","lte",{"model_name":189,"is_favourable":184,"value":190,"threshold":191,"unit":192,"operator":187},"Wave Height",0.088,0.5,"m",{"model_name":194,"is_favourable":195,"value":196,"threshold":40,"unit":197,"operator":198},"Visibility",false,0.99,"","gte",{"verdict":179,"rating":200,"evaluated_at":180,"generated_at":180,"source":201,"confidence":202,"visibility":205,"parameters":206,"models_passed":43,"models_total":129},"Good","precomputed",{"level":203,"value":204},"High",100,{"score":196,"rating":137,"confidence":137},[207,209,213,216,221],{"name":189,"value":208,"label":137,"unit":192,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":191,"marginal_max":36},0.08800000000000001,{"name":210,"value":211,"label":137,"unit":212,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":122,"marginal_max":113},"Swell Period",6.7,"s",{"name":183,"value":214,"label":137,"unit":186,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":130,"marginal_max":215},1.60949952,15,{"name":217,"value":218,"label":137,"unit":219,"favourable":195,"score":36,"optimal_max":129,"marginal_max":220},"Precipitation",16.3,"mm",20,{"name":222,"value":137,"label":223,"unit":197,"favourable":195,"score":36,"optimal_max":137,"marginal_max":137},"Tidal Phase","flood",[225],{"id":226,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":184,"moderation_status":227,"license":228,"license_url":229,"attribution":230,"author_name":231},"7dcea7c8-434e-4592-9c27-dc3e5438d6a2","approved","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by Graeme Bartlett","Graeme Bartlett",{"display_name":233},"Daniel","unverified",1791009148039]