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The site features depths from 5m to 25m with dramatic drop-offs and broken reef terrain, making it a magnet for macro life and curious snorkelers. Accessed by boat from Nelson Bay Marina (about 15 minutes), this temperate site offers clear waters and a kaleidoscope of soft corals and sponge gardens that give the spot its name.","intermediate",null,"published",{"name":59,"amplitude":75,"phase":91,"latitude":22,"model":107,"epoch":108},[60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90],0.019481603683584984,0.00893383983421694,0.1700688182768895,0.039546149894967776,0.5201714110381174,0.007002117640284157,0.001859744552577138,0.005611969582426779,0.10762119866886685,0.09039480588229826,0.04493352256833493,0.023149861533127716,0.009133876490253984,0.13486121136644186,0.008454322682567007,[92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106],279.7214090805358,355.4280411390413,336.0110700784884,313.1489934089154,304.9023020030157,302.03269993444303,212.79105121055576,234.77060776167048,298.6903456975225,304.04775275438396,328.7301662171495,253.5533604413264,308.0754812772505,318.04989098297847,299.7487641374795,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[110,114,118],{"name":111,"description":112,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Boat traffic","Access is by boat only; watch for vessel traffic approaching the site near Fingal Island.","caution",{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Variable currents","Tidal currents can run around the island's pinnacles and drop-offs; best snorkeled on slack tide.","warning",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Depth changes","Depths range from 5m to 25m with sudden drop-offs — snorkelers should stay aware of depth boundaries.",{"directions":122,"parking":123,"facilities":124,"fees":126,"access_method":127},"Located off Fingal Island, approximately 15 minutes by boat from Nelson Bay Marina, Port Stephens. Book a tour with local operators such as Aquamarine Adventure or charter from Nelson Bay.","Parking available at Nelson Bay Marina and public car parks near d'Albora Marina Nelson Bay.",[125],"parking","Boat charter or snorkel tour fees apply; self-boating requires vessel access.","boat","2026-07-27T02:55:53.177318Z","2026-08-04T05:30:44.786401Z",{"verdict":131,"evaluated_at":132,"models":133},"go","2026-10-03T02:20:54.970114Z",[134,141,147],{"model_name":135,"is_favourable":136,"value":137,"threshold":138,"unit":139,"operator":140},"Wind Speed",false,11.6,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":142,"is_favourable":143,"value":144,"threshold":145,"unit":146,"operator":140},"Wave Height",true,0.48,0.5,"m",{"model_name":148,"is_favourable":136,"value":149,"threshold":40,"unit":150,"operator":151},"Visibility",1.96,"","gte",{"verdict":131,"rating":153,"evaluated_at":132,"generated_at":132,"source":154,"confidence":155,"visibility":158,"parameters":159,"models_passed":179,"models_total":174},"Excellent","precomputed",{"level":156,"value":157},"High",100,{"score":149,"rating":56,"confidence":56},[160,161,167,170,176],{"name":142,"value":144,"label":56,"unit":146,"favourable":143,"score":43,"optimal_max":145,"marginal_max":36},{"name":162,"value":163,"label":56,"unit":164,"favourable":143,"score":43,"optimal_max":165,"marginal_max":166},"Swell Period",7.75,"s",8,12,{"name":135,"value":168,"label":56,"unit":139,"favourable":136,"score":36,"optimal_max":138,"marginal_max":169},11.6047248,15,{"name":171,"value":172,"label":56,"unit":173,"favourable":143,"score":43,"optimal_max":174,"marginal_max":175},"Precipitation",0.3,"mm",5,20,{"name":177,"value":56,"label":178,"unit":150,"favourable":143,"score":43,"optimal_max":56,"marginal_max":56},"Tidal Phase","slack",4,[],{"display_name":182},"Daniel","unverified",1791009151505]