Nurse Rock, formerly known as Wobby Rock, is a premier outer reef dive site off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. Sitting at 14–22 metres depth on the outer reef, it features a striking boulder topography with small swim-throughs and is a celebrated aggregation site for Grey Nurse Sharks during winter (July–October). Summer brings Wobbegong sharks, while year-round visitors include large schools of surgeonfish, rays, cuttlefish, turtles, moray eels, and tropical reef fish. During the cooler months, migrating humpback whales can be heard singing underwater. Access is by boat (~15 minutes from Mooloolaba River), making it a must-visit for certified divers and adventurous snorkelers.
Nurse Rock (dive site)
IntermediateGO
GO
It's a go.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 6.0 sWind Speed 2.4 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong currents possible
As an outer reef site, currents can be unpredictable and moderate to strong at times.
Moderate risk: Strong currents
Tidal currents can sweep around the reef structure, particularly during changing tides.
Low risk: Boat access required
Site is only accessible via a ~15-minute boat ride from Mooloolaba River; weather and sea conditions determine trip viability.
Low risk: Depth range 14–22 m
Moderate depth range suitable for certified divers; snorkelers should have good buoyancy control.
Low risk: Seasickness risk
The boat ride crosses open water; those prone to seasickness should take precautions.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Castle Rock is accessed via boat from Mooloolaba; boat traffic in the area requires vigilance while snorkeling.
Low risk: Sea conditions / swell
As an outer reef site, Nurse Rock can be affected by wind, swell, and unpredictable sea states. Trips are weather-dependent.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
Be the first to share a photo
No photos yet — yours could be the first.
Photos are reviewed by moderators before they appear.
Getting in
Boat
Entry
From Brisbane, drive 1 hour north on the M1 to the Sunshine Coast. From Sunshine Coast Airport, drive 30 minutes south. The operator Sunreef is based at Shop 11-12, The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557. Check-in at the Sunreef desk, then a ~15-minute boat ride departs from the Mooloolaba River.
Parking & facilities
The Wharf complex has 4-hour parking available, but some tours exceed 4 hours so look for unlimited parking spaces outside The Wharf Mooloolaba/SEA Life car park. Allow 15–20 minutes for parking.
parkingtoiletsshowersdrinking_water
Guided dive/snorkel tours operated by Sunreef — fees vary by package. Gear hire available. Contact +61 7 5444 5656 or [email protected] for current pricing.
Spot Map
Community
Trust
Is this spot real, accurate, still loved?
Spots near Queensland
No nearby spots yet.
Needs verification
Quick verify
One tap helps the community keep this spot honest.
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