The Nursery is a shallow, sheltered dive and snorkel site tucked inside the northern point of Bowen Island in Jervis Bay, accessible only by boat. Ranging from 3 to 10 metres deep, this protected sandy gutter and rocky bommie site is famous for its congregation of Port Jackson sharks resting along the bottom, as well as weedy seadragons, eastern blue devilfish, giant Australian cuttlefish, and abundant reef fish. Crystal-clear waters and calm conditions make it a favourite for snorkellers seeking an up-close wildlife encounter in one of Australia's most pristine marine environments.
The Nursery
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Wave Height 1.0 mSwell Period 6.9 sWind Speed 0.5 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase ebb
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Surge inside cave
The cave can only be entered safely in very calm, millpond-like sea conditions. Swell and surge inside the cave can become dangerous quickly.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Access is by boat only; Bowen Island channel can have vessel traffic. Snorkellers should stay aware of approaching boats.
Low risk: Shallow reef ledges
Rocky bommies and sandy gutters at 3-10m depth — care needed to avoid scraping against reef ledges.
Low risk: Wind chop from SE/NE winds
South-easterly and north-easterly winds create hazardous chop on this exposed southern side of Jervis Bay.
Low risk: Low visibility inside cave
The cave interior can be dark, making orientation challenging. Stay aware of the entrance at all times.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Nursery is located on the northern side of Bowen Island, within Jervis Bay. It is only accessible by boat — launch from Huskisson, Currambene Creek, or Myola. Several dive/snorkel charters operate out of Huskisson and call at The Nursery on their trips. Alternatively, private boat owners can anchor off Bowen Island's northern point.
Parking & facilities
Park at the boat ramp car parks in Huskisson (Currambene Creek ramp or Huskisson Wharf). No direct shore parking exists at the site.
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No site-specific fee, but boat charter costs apply (~$80-150 per person). Booderee National Park entry fee may apply if launching from within the park.
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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