[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":255},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-norah-head-rock-pool-area":9,"spot-seo-norah-head-rock-pool-area":221},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"id":10,"name":11,"slug":12,"latitude":13,"longitude":14,"description":15,"difficulty":16,"image_url":17,"status":18,"tide_constituents":19,"hazard_entries":70,"access_info_structured":135,"area_boundary":75,"routes":75,"created_at":143,"updated_at":144,"today_conditions":145,"today_verdict_view":167,"images":196,"submitted_by":217,"region_name":219,"verification_status":220,"verified_at":75,"disputed":190,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":75},"56a320b7-3028-4e60-ab67-b628b77e47af","Norah Head (rock pool area)","norah-head-rock-pool-area",-33.279103,151.569422,"Tucked beneath the historic Norah Head lighthouse on the NSW Central Coast, this semicircular ring-of-stones rock pool offers a calm, sheltered snorkeling haven within Cabbage Tree Harbour. Formed by a man-made wall of local stone constructed in the 1970s, the pool fills with crystal-clear ocean water at high tide and rests on a soft, sandy seabed — a welcome contrast to the rocky bottoms of neighbouring pools. Families love the safe, wave-protected waters, while snorkelers can spot tiny fish and crabs scuttling among the boulders. With the iconic lighthouse towering above and unbroken ocean views, it is one of the coast's most picturesque and family-friendly snorkeling spots.","beginner","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_norah-head-rock-pool-area_0_972a621ef518.jpg","published",{"name":20,"amplitude":36,"phase":52,"latitude":13,"model":68,"epoch":69},[21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51],0.019026848874175547,0.011089291993953422,0.1610672587447701,0.034539535602553545,0.5025134370230712,0.007147833409914364,0.0025322870451089784,0.002546085339241724,0.11009071291557682,0.09296773259614857,0.048671570383197124,0.017636828999467533,0.015564766340023935,0.12389051020157082,0.007589224493335792,[53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67],279.2766886280567,5.2179471481263136,327.8785445860776,317.7024898228866,306.8729658861125,267.2447593388782,231.97832188613017,101.33223847744341,296.8699455404536,298.53712868466437,324.7444652691832,267.6891965855266,312.96936069953745,314.32469518851985,258.5353776567848,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[71,76,81,87,90,93,96,99,102,105,108,111,114,117,120,123,126,129,132],{"name":72,"description":73,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Tide-dependent depth","The rock pool is shallow at low tide, limiting snorkeling space. Best at high tide when water is deep enough to swim freely.","caution",null,{"name":77,"description":78,"severity":74,"season_start":79,"season_end":80},"Swell surge over rocks","At high tide with sizeable swell, waves can wash over the outer ring of stones. Snorkelers should avoid the ocean side of the rock ring.",5,9,{"name":82,"description":83,"severity":84,"season_start":85,"season_end":86},"Rip currents at Soldiers Beach","Soldiers Beach is a known hazardous surf beach with rip currents outside the protected rock pool area. Stay inside the rock pool or between the flags.","warning",1,12,{"name":88,"description":89,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Low tide shallowness","The pool is best and deepest at high tide; at low tide the water becomes very shallow, making snorkeling difficult and exposing rocks.",{"name":91,"description":92,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Slippery rocks","Slippery rocks surround the pool's perimeter, particularly when entering from the beach side.",{"name":94,"description":95,"severity":84,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Restricted entry point","The only entry point is via the beach; attempting to climb over the ring of stones from the ocean side is dangerous due to waves and sharp rocks.",{"name":97,"description":98,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Low tide shallow water","At low tide the pool becomes very shallow, making snorkelling difficult and increasing risk of scraping against rocks or stones.",{"name":100,"description":101,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Swell over-topping at high tide","At high tide waves can wash over the rock ring, which may surprise inexperienced swimmers.",{"name":103,"description":104,"severity":84,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Ring of stones hazard","The pool perimeter is formed by stacked stones; exiting on the ocean side is not recommended and entering from the beach side is the only safe access.",{"name":106,"description":107,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Slippery rock surfaces","The rock platform and pool edges can become very slippery, especially when wet.",{"name":109,"description":110,"severity":74,"season_start":85,"season_end":86},"Changing tides","Water levels in the pool and surrounding rock platforms change with the tides, affecting entry and exit points.",{"name":112,"description":113,"severity":74,"season_start":85,"season_end":86},"Boat ramp traffic","The adjacent raised boat ramp sees vessel activity — caution near the harbour side of the pool.",{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Low water at low tide","The pool becomes very shallow at low tide, reducing snorkeling visibility and increasing risk of bumping into rocks.",{"name":118,"description":119,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Tide dependency","The rock pool is best at high tide — at low tide the water becomes very shallow for swimming and snorkeling.",{"name":121,"description":122,"severity":84,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"No lifeguards on duty","Norah Head Beach and the rock pool are unpatrolled. Snorkelers swim at their own risk.",{"name":124,"description":125,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Beach access only","Entry to the rock pool is via soft sand from the carpark — no direct rock-hopping entry from the ocean side. Negotiating the ring of stones from the seaward side is hazardous.",{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":74,"season_start":75,"season_end":75},"Swell surge at north end","The exposed northern end of Cabbage Tree Bay can experience sudden ocean swell and strong currents, particularly during southerly winds.",{"name":130,"description":131,"severity":74,"season_start":85,"season_end":86},"Rocky perimeter","The ring of stones surrounding the pool can be sharp. Avoid entering from the ocean side.",{"name":133,"description":134,"severity":74,"season_start":85,"season_end":86},"Slippery stones at entry","The only entry is via the beach sand; adjacent rocks can be slippery, especially when wet.",{"directions":136,"parking":137,"facilities":138,"fees":141,"access_method":142},"From Wyong, take the bus to Norah Head (~1 hour). By car, park at the small lot at the base of Bald Street near the boat ramp, just a short walk from the rock pool. There is also a larger car park at the top of the hill — note the walk down is steep. A staircase of about 50-132 steps leads down from the cliff top to the pool.","Small car park at the bottom of Bald Street near the boat ramp; larger overflow car park at the top of the hill.",[139,140],"toilets","parking","Free","shore_entry","2026-07-27T02:55:23.619826Z","2026-08-04T05:32:31.002513Z",{"verdict":146,"evaluated_at":147,"models":148},"go","2026-10-03T02:20:36.635897Z",[149,156,161],{"model_name":150,"is_favourable":151,"value":152,"threshold":153,"unit":154,"operator":155},"Wind Speed",true,7.02,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":157,"is_favourable":151,"value":158,"threshold":159,"unit":160,"operator":155},"Wave Height",0.477,0.5,"m",{"model_name":162,"is_favourable":151,"value":163,"threshold":164,"unit":165,"operator":166},"Visibility",2.31,2,"","gte",{"verdict":146,"rating":168,"evaluated_at":147,"generated_at":147,"source":169,"confidence":170,"visibility":173,"parameters":174,"models_passed":195,"models_total":79},"Excellent","precomputed",{"level":171,"value":172},"High",100,{"score":163,"rating":75,"confidence":75},[175,178,183,186,192],{"name":157,"value":176,"label":75,"unit":160,"favourable":151,"score":177,"optimal_max":159,"marginal_max":85},0.4766586419775912,3,{"name":179,"value":180,"label":75,"unit":181,"favourable":151,"score":177,"optimal_max":182,"marginal_max":86},"Swell Period",6.45,"s",8,{"name":150,"value":184,"label":75,"unit":154,"favourable":151,"score":177,"optimal_max":153,"marginal_max":185},7.0188378269982605,15,{"name":187,"value":188,"label":75,"unit":189,"favourable":190,"score":85,"optimal_max":79,"marginal_max":191},"Precipitation",6.4,"mm",false,20,{"name":193,"value":75,"label":194,"unit":165,"favourable":151,"score":177,"optimal_max":75,"marginal_max":75},"Tidal Phase","slack",4,[197,204,209,214],{"id":198,"image_url":17,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":151,"moderation_status":199,"license":200,"license_url":201,"attribution":202,"author_name":203},"4cbde3f6-1830-4f36-9b29-353a569ac165","approved","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by Tirin also known as Takver","Tirin also known as Takver",{"id":205,"image_url":206,"sort_order":85,"is_primary":190,"moderation_status":199,"license":200,"license_url":75,"attribution":207,"author_name":208},"00b9ea2b-b74e-4281-af9c-165aebaf01ad","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_norah-head-rock-pool-area_1_4d2ddf862fe2.jpg","Photo by Cookaa","Cookaa",{"id":210,"image_url":211,"sort_order":164,"is_primary":190,"moderation_status":199,"license":212,"license_url":75,"attribution":213,"author_name":213},"b2becc3c-1b4b-4555-a7a3-4cf8eccae2ae","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_norah-head-rock-pool-area_2_0c46b975e537.jpg","CC BY 2.5","Richard270384 at English Wikipedia",{"id":215,"image_url":216,"sort_order":177,"is_primary":190,"moderation_status":199,"license":212,"license_url":75,"attribution":213,"author_name":213},"5c368f12-1c6c-4f21-b93e-b9cf9b684016","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_norah-head-rock-pool-area_3_31d501c1bdb2.jpg",{"display_name":218},"Daniel","New South Wales","unverified",{"title":222,"description":223,"canonical_url":224,"og_image":17,"structured_data":225,"breadcrumbs":248},"Snorkeling Conditions at Norah Head (rock pool area) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Norah Head (rock pool area), New South Wales. Excellent conditions, water 19.8°C, waves 0.48m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fnorah-head-rock-pool-area",[226,235],{"@context":227,"@type":228,"name":11,"description":229,"url":224,"geo":230,"address":232},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Tucked beneath the historic Norah Head lighthouse on the NSW Central Coast, this semicircular ring-of-stones rock pool offers a calm, sheltered snorkeling haven within Cabbage Tree Harbour. Formed...",{"@type":231,"latitude":13,"longitude":14},"GeoCoordinates",{"@type":233,"addressRegion":219,"addressCountry":234},"PostalAddress","Australia",{"@context":227,"@type":236,"name":237,"description":223,"url":224,"breadcrumb":238},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Norah Head (rock pool area)",{"@context":227,"@type":239,"itemListElement":240},"BreadcrumbList",[241,245,247],{"@type":242,"position":85,"name":243,"item":244},"ListItem","Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":242,"position":164,"name":219,"item":246},"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"@type":242,"position":177,"name":11,"item":224},[249,251,253],{"label":243,"href":250},"\u002F",{"label":219,"href":252},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":11,"href":254},"\u002Fspots\u002Fnorah-head-rock-pool-area",1791009179624]