A renowned drift shore dive on the southern headland of Botany Bay inside Kamay Botany Bay National Park, The Leap delivers a thrilling giant-stride entry off a rock platform followed by a current-assisted drift along a rocky reef toward The Steps. Named for the signature leap into deep water, the site offers exceptional water clarity, swim-throughs, and boulder gardens where weedy sea dragons, big-belly seahorses, and schooling fish are regularly spotted. The reef drops to 22 m, with sandy gutters and bommies that teem with life, making it one of Sydney's most exciting shore dives for experienced divers.
The Leap (The Leap Drift)
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Wave Height 1.0 mSwell Period 6.5 sWind Speed 1.1 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
© John TurnbullDANGER: Explicit Risks Present
The Leap (The Leap Drift) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Swell surge at entry/exit danger
Swell over 0.8 m creates dangerous conditions at the rocky entry and exit points. Waves can smash divers against the platform.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Swell surge at entry/exit
Swell over 0.8 m creates dangerous conditions at the rocky entry and exit points. Waves can smash divers against the platform.
Moderate risk: Incoming tide current (drift)
This site is a drift dive that must be done on an incoming tide. The current can be strong, and if the tide turns early the exit becomes very difficult.
Moderate risk: No shore re-entry possible
Once in the water you cannot climb back onto the entry platform. Any problems require snorkelling the full distance to the exit at The Steps.
Low risk: Rough hewn stairs and track
The access track from the top car park to the entry platform has uneven natural steps and sections of aluminium stairs; risk of twisted ankles.
Low risk: Park closed at night
Kamay Botany Bay National Park gates close at night, preventing night dives and any late return.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Sydney, take the Princes Highway south, turn onto Rocky Point Road toward Kurnell. At Kurnell, turn right off Captain Cook Drive into Cape Solander Drive. Drive about 1.5 km into Kamay Botany Bay National Park. Park at the small lot on the right at the top of the hill (entry point) then move the car to the lower lot near The Steps for the exit. The access track opposite the top car park leads down to the entry platform.
Parking & facilities
Small parking area at the top of the hill near the entry point (The Leap) plus a larger car park halfway down the hill near The Steps exit. Limited spaces.
parkingpicnic_tables
$8 per vehicle per day park entry fee (coin-operated pay-and-display or credit card). Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell area.
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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