[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":238},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-the-steps":9,"spot-the-steps":51},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-02T06:59:37.379659Z",{"title":10,"description":11,"canonical_url":12,"og_image":13,"structured_data":14,"breadcrumbs":44},"Snorkeling Conditions at The Steps - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at The Steps, Tasmania. Good conditions, water 14.8°C, waves 0.76m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fthe-steps","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-steps_0_094105210117.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","The Steps","The Steps is a renowned snorkeling and diving site along Tasmania's stunning Bay of Fires coastline near Binalong Bay. Named for the natural stepped granite boulder formations that descend into cry...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-41.251519,148.311088,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","Tasmania","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at The Steps",{"@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=tasmania",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=tasmania",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fthe-steps",{"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":160,"area_boundary":113,"routes":113,"created_at":168,"updated_at":169,"today_conditions":170,"today_verdict_view":192,"images":219,"submitted_by":235,"region_name":26,"verification_status":237,"verified_at":113,"disputed":183,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":113},"df6a1517-25d4-4203-a454-3cfec80faaf1","the-steps","The Steps is a renowned snorkeling and diving site along Tasmania's stunning Bay of Fires coastline near Binalong Bay. Named for the natural stepped granite boulder formations that descend into crystal-clear turquoise waters, this site offers a sheltered, shallow entry over smooth rocks into a protected marine environment. Surrounded by striking orange-lichen-covered granite boulders and white sandy patches, the underwater terrain is a mix of rocky reef, kelp gardens, and sandy gutters. The site is popular with both snorkelers and divers thanks to its easy shore access, calm conditions in good weather, and the vibrant temperate marine community that thrives in this part of northeast Tasmania.","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],0.01681681495678956,0.008807667069274976,0.15672520603219442,0.015417428127167747,0.38432055662832065,0.003793289290821909,0.0069157041653185375,0.004297328071203765,0.09527062163726828,0.10148406089087247,0.048546075661138506,0.02550066008986039,0.01042825291525657,0.05536010418460464,0.0004320122081687148,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],269.2900196588013,341.7277647033798,305.1777942331681,300.06845063003055,312.0106023265895,245.4319101116954,173.55244455488094,173.22904646829602,299.7038829151741,276.0549311261233,302.40174644324134,250.40449272595612,31.611031516359926,318.5498242178645,208.12865063437226,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,119,123,126,129,133,136,139,142,145,148,151,154,157],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rocky reef and submerged boulders","Granite boulders and reef formations are common just below the surface, especially around the Gulch and rock pools. Watch for sharp edges and uneven footing.","caution",null,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":112,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Swell and surf conditions","The open coastline can experience sudden swells, particularly in southerly or easterly winds, creating choppy conditions for snorkellers.",6,8,{"name":120,"description":121,"severity":122,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Cold water temperatures","Tasmanian sea temperatures are cool year-round, typically ranging 12–18°C, increasing the risk of cold-water shock and hypothermia without proper wetsuit protection.","warning",{"name":124,"description":125,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Changing tides at the Gulch","The Gulch area can experience tidal currents that shift conditions rapidly, affecting entry and exit points.",{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Tidal currents near rock gullies","Strong currents can develop near the gullies and rock edges, especially on outgoing tides. Snorkelers should stay within the sheltered main beach area.",{"name":130,"description":131,"severity":112,"season_start":117,"season_end":132},"Ocean swells","Southern Ocean swells can occasionally roll into the bay, creating moderate surf conditions that may affect water clarity and safety for less experienced snorkelers.",9,{"name":134,"description":135,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Slippery granite boulders","Granite boulders can be slippery when wet. Care is needed when entering and exiting the water over rocky areas.",{"name":137,"description":138,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Surge at boat ramp","The nearby boat ramp and landing stage are affected by surge in most weather conditions, making entry and exit tricky.",{"name":140,"description":141,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Tidal movement","The gulch is best at high tide; low tide exposes rocks and reduces swim-able area. Incoming\u002Foutgoing currents can be felt near the gulch mouth.",{"name":143,"description":144,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Outgoing tide current","The tidal gutters can develop a noticeable outgoing current as water drains from the shore, which may pull weaker swimmers seaward. Best snorkelled on the incoming or high tide.",{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Slippery boulders","Granite boulders surrounding the gutters are often encrusted with algae and lichen, becoming extremely slippery when wet. Take care entering and exiting the water.",{"name":149,"description":150,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sea urchins","Rocky areas adjacent to the sandy gutters may harbour sea urchins. Avoid barefoot contact with submerged rocks.",{"name":152,"description":153,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharp barnacles and boulders","Granite boulders and rocky shelves are present along the edges of the cove and in the tidal pools; sharp barnacles may be exposed at low tide.",{"name":155,"description":156,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Slippery granite rocks","The stepped granite boulders at the entry can be extremely slippery when wet, requiring careful footing.",{"name":158,"description":159,"severity":112,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Swell surge","Ocean swell can push snorkelers onto the rocky reef; best visited on calm, low-swell days.",{"directions":161,"parking":162,"facilities":163,"fees":166,"access_method":167},"From Binalong Bay, follow the Bay of Fires coastal road (Gardens Road) north past the main beach. The Steps is located within the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, easily identified by the distinctive stepped rock formations along the shoreline. Parking is available at a small pull-off near the site.","Limited roadside parking off Gardens Road near the site; arrive early in peak season.",[164,165],"parking","toilets","No entry fee; part of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area (no day pass required).","shore_entry","2026-07-27T02:57:38.359757Z","2026-08-04T05:36:16.070671Z",{"verdict":171,"evaluated_at":172,"models":173},"go","2026-10-02T02:23:14.231970Z",[174,181,187],{"model_name":175,"is_favourable":176,"value":177,"threshold":178,"unit":179,"operator":180},"Wind Speed",true,1.5,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":182,"is_favourable":183,"value":184,"threshold":185,"unit":186,"operator":180},"Wave Height",false,0.764,0.5,"m",{"model_name":188,"is_favourable":183,"value":189,"threshold":40,"unit":190,"operator":191},"Visibility",1.71,"","gte",{"verdict":171,"rating":193,"evaluated_at":172,"generated_at":172,"source":194,"confidence":195,"visibility":198,"parameters":199,"models_passed":43,"models_total":214},"Good","precomputed",{"level":196,"value":197},"High",92.5,{"score":189,"rating":113,"confidence":113},[200,202,207,210,216],{"name":182,"value":201,"label":113,"unit":186,"favourable":183,"score":36,"optimal_max":185,"marginal_max":36},0.763887021696,{"name":203,"value":204,"label":113,"unit":205,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":118,"marginal_max":206},"Swell Period",6.85,"s",12,{"name":175,"value":208,"label":113,"unit":179,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":178,"marginal_max":209},1.49870064,15,{"name":211,"value":212,"label":113,"unit":213,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":214,"marginal_max":215},"Precipitation",3.1,"mm",5,20,{"name":217,"value":113,"label":218,"unit":190,"favourable":183,"score":36,"optimal_max":113,"marginal_max":113},"Tidal Phase","ebb",[220,225,230],{"id":221,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":176,"moderation_status":222,"license":223,"license_url":224,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"abf15fe5-3efc-4539-8388-e71734523699","approved","CC0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Fpublicdomain\u002Fzero\u002F1.0\u002F",{"id":226,"image_url":227,"sort_order":36,"is_primary":183,"moderation_status":222,"license":228,"license_url":229,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"9c0261cf-1420-44b5-b35e-831ca6232fe0","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-steps_1_78416c3ee123.jpg","CC BY 2.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby\u002F2.0\u002F",{"id":231,"image_url":232,"sort_order":40,"is_primary":183,"moderation_status":222,"license":233,"license_url":234,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"b6fe5c19-35aa-4a8a-9fe5-95be7b24ad5a","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_the-steps_2_7af33ea5785f.jpg","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F",{"display_name":236},"Daniel","unverified",1790924512519]