[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":279},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-the-boulders-south-west-rocks":9,"spot-the-boulders-south-west-rocks":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 The Boulders (South West Rocks) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at The Boulders (South West Rocks), New South Wales. Fair conditions, water 21.3°C, waves 0.58m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fthe-boulders-south-west-rocks","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_0_efbcee953a65.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","The Boulders (South West Rocks)","Ladies Reef is a small, bommie-like reef about 30m long and 10m wide, located roughly 200m off Main Beach in South West Rocks, straight out from the headland east of Horseshoe Bay. This sheltered s...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-30.896292,153.040071,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","New South Wales","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at The Boulders (South West Rocks)",{"@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=new-south-wales",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fthe-boulders-south-west-rocks",{"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":184,"area_boundary":125,"routes":125,"created_at":194,"updated_at":195,"today_conditions":196,"today_verdict_view":216,"images":241,"submitted_by":276,"region_name":26,"verification_status":278,"verified_at":125,"disputed":202,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":125},"063d6f28-96d5-4cb3-9888-945116b03824","the-boulders-south-west-rocks","Ladies Reef is a small, bommie-like reef about 30m long and 10m wide, located roughly 200m off Main Beach in South West Rocks, straight out from the headland east of Horseshoe Bay. This sheltered shore-dive site is perfect in southerly winds, offering a surprisingly rich ecosystem of soft and hard corals, sponges, and macro life. The route passes Stingray Rock (home to a resident bullray), then crosses sandy seabed to reach the reef at around 10m depth. Famous for its prolific fish life — schools of bream, yellowtail, silver sweep, trevally, luderick, tiny red morwong, eagle rays, flathead, decorator crabs, and nudibranchs — this compact reef packs a punch and also makes an excellent night dive.","beginner","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],0.031227890025876046,0.010549072316014211,0.18039529128356255,0.027866397029941283,0.5323275259233567,0.003435038740603077,0.0029766810882649254,0.003817262786835842,0.11066148659308787,0.09741705649133534,0.055622300059713185,0.018487728840452414,0.014740371249039956,0.13127908169092767,0.005955039274901639,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],286.91707977188673,359.5959774758693,340.58544776734016,287.3037169009146,302.71049355505244,317.54362202870567,193.77229815407134,306.69532386767,295.7927961414678,314.05692696490723,339.4984149845396,280.0179613370983,338.0286824670515,315.3444291245008,342.4141842446032,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,118,122,126,129,132,137,140,143,146,149,152,155,158,161,166,169,172,175,178,181],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":113},"Surf break and rips","Main Beach is an ocean beach subject to waves and rip currents, especially on larger swell days. Snorkel only in calm conditions and between the flagged patrolled area.","warning",12,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":36,"season_end":113},"Strong outgoing tide (Korogoro Creek)","At the northern end where Korogoro Creek enters the ocean, the outgoing tide can create a strong current that may sweep swimmers and snorkellers offshore.","caution",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":117,"season_start":121,"season_end":113},"Marine stingers","Bluebottles (Portuguese man o' war) can drift onto the beach, particularly during northerly winds and warmer months, causing painful stings.",10,{"name":123,"description":124,"severity":112,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Swell Exposure","Green Island is exposed to wind and swell from multiple directions, more so than nearby Fish Rock. Big seas can significantly reduce visibility and make entry\u002Fexit challenging.",null,{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":112,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Ocean Currents","The East Australian Current can produce moderate to strong currents around the island, particularly on the eastern side. Drift diving techniques are recommended.",{"name":130,"description":131,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Surge in Shallow Reef","The shallow northern reef area (10-15 m) can experience surge in choppy conditions, pushing divers toward rocks.",{"name":133,"description":134,"severity":117,"season_start":135,"season_end":136},"Grey Nurse Shark Aggregation","Green Island is a key aggregation site for grey nurse sharks (critically endangered). While generally docile, divers should maintain respectful distance and avoid cornering them against the reef.",5,11,{"name":138,"description":139,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Low tide shallow rocks","The boulder formations can be very shallow at low tide, with sharp edges that may cause cuts and scrapes.",{"name":141,"description":142,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Slippery algae-covered rocks","Granite boulders near the waterline develop slippery algae, making footing treacherous when walking in or out of the water.",{"name":144,"description":145,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Bluebottle jellyfish","Bluebottles (Physalia physalis) can drift into the bay during northeasterly winds, typically in summer months (December to March).",{"name":147,"description":148,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Strong ocean currents","Drift diving is common here; currents can run around the island, especially on the northern and eastern sides.",{"name":150,"description":151,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Boat traffic","The channel between Green Island and the mainland is used by dive boats transiting to\u002Ffrom Fish Rock.",{"name":153,"description":154,"severity":112,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Steep shore access","The island has no easy shore entry; access is via boat or steep terrain only.",{"name":156,"description":157,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Variable visibility","Visibility averages 15 m but can drop significantly after big seas due to the shallow reef depth.",{"name":159,"description":160,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Ocean currents","Mild currents can flow around the reef, particularly on the western side.",{"name":162,"description":163,"severity":112,"season_start":164,"season_end":165},"Swell exposure","The shallow reef system is only accessible in suitable calm conditions; swells can create dangerous surf over the reef top.",6,8,{"name":167,"description":168,"severity":112,"season_start":164,"season_end":165},"Strong currents","Ocean currents can pick up around the reef, particularly on an outgoing tide, affecting swimmers and snorkellers.",{"name":170,"description":171,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Sharp reef structure","Rocky reef bottom with potential sharp coral and rock ledges — protective footwear and buoyancy control advised.",{"name":173,"description":174,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Surf conditions at Main Beach entry","Entry requires calm surf. If waves are too large on Main Beach, the dive is not advisable.",{"name":176,"description":177,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Navigation — locating the reef","Ladies Reef is a small, low-profile reef that rises only 2m from the sand. Snorkelers must navigate accurately from Stingray Rock (approx 100m north) and may miss it without careful orientation.",{"name":179,"description":180,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Depth range","Depth reaches up to 11m around the reef, which may be challenging for weaker or less confident snorkelers.",{"name":182,"description":183,"severity":117,"season_start":125,"season_end":125},"Currents","Occasional currents can sweep around the headland at Horseshoe Bay, particularly during tidal changes.",{"directions":185,"parking":186,"facilities":187,"fees":192,"access_method":193},"From the centre of South West Rocks, head towards Front Beach \u002F Livingstone Street. The Boulders are located at the southern end of Front Beach, adjacent to the Surf Life Saving Club carpark and near the Trial Bay Gaol entrance.","Free parking available at the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club carpark on Livingstone Street, or at the Trial Bay Gaol carpark just a short walk away.",[188,189,190,191],"toilets","parking","showers","picnic_tables","No fees for beach access. Parking is free.","shore_entry","2026-07-27T02:55:35.172703Z","2026-08-04T05:30:44.786389Z",{"verdict":197,"evaluated_at":198,"models":199},"marginal","2026-10-03T02:15:31.224445Z",[200,206,211],{"model_name":201,"is_favourable":202,"value":203,"threshold":121,"unit":204,"operator":205},"Wind Speed",false,13.16,"kn","lte",{"model_name":207,"is_favourable":202,"value":208,"threshold":209,"unit":210,"operator":205},"Wave Height",0.582,0.5,"m",{"model_name":212,"is_favourable":202,"value":213,"threshold":40,"unit":214,"operator":215},"Visibility",1.66,"","gte",{"verdict":197,"rating":217,"evaluated_at":198,"generated_at":198,"source":218,"confidence":219,"visibility":222,"parameters":223,"models_passed":40,"models_total":135},"Fair","precomputed",{"level":220,"value":221},"High",100,{"score":213,"rating":125,"confidence":125},[224,226,231,234,238],{"name":207,"value":225,"label":125,"unit":210,"favourable":202,"score":36,"optimal_max":209,"marginal_max":36},0.5823311354690369,{"name":227,"value":228,"label":125,"unit":229,"favourable":230,"score":43,"optimal_max":165,"marginal_max":113},"Swell Period",7.25,"s",true,{"name":201,"value":232,"label":125,"unit":204,"favourable":202,"score":36,"optimal_max":121,"marginal_max":233},13.164964714393633,15,{"name":235,"value":5,"label":125,"unit":236,"favourable":230,"score":43,"optimal_max":135,"marginal_max":237},"Precipitation","mm",20,{"name":239,"value":125,"label":240,"unit":214,"favourable":202,"score":36,"optimal_max":125,"marginal_max":125},"Tidal Phase","flood",[242,248,251,257,262,269],{"id":243,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":230,"moderation_status":244,"license":245,"license_url":125,"attribution":246,"author_name":247},"1b0610e7-c531-4985-8f07-274db9986f89","approved","CC BY-SA 4.0","Photo by Tom.s 77","Tom.s 77",{"id":249,"image_url":250,"sort_order":36,"is_primary":202,"moderation_status":244,"license":245,"license_url":125,"attribution":246,"author_name":247},"d478549e-08f9-45e4-831c-fdad04feebf9","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_1_56ab9d14e4b2.jpg",{"id":252,"image_url":253,"sort_order":40,"is_primary":202,"moderation_status":244,"license":254,"license_url":125,"attribution":255,"author_name":256},"2f16bc7a-bb2e-4893-86a9-da094a80cc45","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_2_ef6a4b1e7796.jpg","CC BY 2.0","Photo by Photographic Collection from Australia","Photographic Collection from Australia",{"id":258,"image_url":259,"sort_order":43,"is_primary":202,"moderation_status":244,"license":254,"license_url":125,"attribution":260,"author_name":261},"abf152b1-946d-4e9f-be3a-70582186331a","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_3_f003abf19a62.jpg","Photo by Robert Montgomery","Robert Montgomery",{"id":263,"image_url":264,"sort_order":265,"is_primary":202,"moderation_status":244,"license":254,"license_url":266,"attribution":267,"author_name":268},"a2fd9e93-ccc9-4223-8c02-9de78a9a4d89","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_4_c55b47db77a8.jpg",4,"https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby\u002F2.0\u002F","Photo by Moonlight0551 from Australia","Moonlight0551 from Australia",{"id":270,"image_url":271,"sort_order":135,"is_primary":202,"moderation_status":244,"license":272,"license_url":273,"attribution":274,"author_name":275},"cad9e4ca-e067-4a08-aa8e-672d7b6b6187","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-boulders-south-west-rocks_5_5a59c97f7fe7.jpg","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by Cookaa","Cookaa",{"display_name":277},"Daniel","unverified",1791009203063]