Lattitude Reef (also known as Latitude Rock) is an isolated rock reef feature rising 8 metres from a sandy seabed off Cape Hawke near Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast. This vibrant reef is a macro photographer's dream, thriving with grey nurse sharks, turtles, rays, moray eels, octopus, cuttlefish, nudibranchs and lobsters. The reef runs east-west with a sloped southern side (10–18 m) covered in kelp beds attracting red morwong and silvers, and a dramatic northern wall dropping into gutters, overhangs and cracks teeming with sponge growth in pink, orange and yellow. Water temps range 18–24°C; visibility 7–25 m.
Lattitude Reef
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 7.1 sWind Speed 1.3 knPrecipitation 0.2 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Strong currents
Gutters and drop-offs on the northern side can channel currents; careful buoyancy control required especially during safety stops.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Popular for scuba diving, recreational fishing and spear fishing — other boats anchoring and departing in the area require vigilance.
Low risk: Swell exposure
The site's exposure to ocean swell can create surge on both sides of the reef; the choice of which side to dive is determined by which is calmer.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility can range from 7 to 25 metres depending on conditions, which can disorient snorkelers.
Low risk: Depth hazard
The reef drops from 9m to greater depths quickly; depth management is essential for snorkelers.
Low risk: Ocean swells and surge
Exposed reef location can experience moderate to large swells, creating surge around the rocky bommies
Low risk: Rocky entry and exit
Access from shoreline involves navigating rocks; care needed at entry and exit points
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Located off Cape Hawke, north of Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast. Accessible only by boat — approximately 20 minutes by vessel from Forster port. Boat operators should anchor with care, noting the reef runs east-west on a sandy bottom.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the Forster boat ramp and nearby public car parks.
parkingboat_ramp
No entry fee; charter fees apply if joining a snorkel tour from Forster.
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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