[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":255},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-turtle-cove-off-cape-hawke":9,"spot-turtle-cove-off-cape-hawke":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 Turtle Cove (off Cape Hawke) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Turtle Cove (off Cape Hawke), New South Wales. Fair conditions, water 19.8°C, waves 1.18m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fturtle-cove-off-cape-hawke","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_turtle-cove-off-cape-hawke_0_530ffdfd673b.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Turtle Cove (off Cape Hawke)","Turtle Cove is a celebrated dive and snorkel site located off Cape Hawke near Forster, within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on NSW's Mid North Coast. Named for the green and loggerhead...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-32.216056,152.570898,{"@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 Turtle Cove (off Cape Hawke)",{"@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\u002Fturtle-cove-off-cape-hawke",{"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":188,"area_boundary":113,"routes":113,"created_at":196,"updated_at":197,"today_conditions":198,"today_verdict_view":219,"images":245,"submitted_by":252,"region_name":26,"verification_status":254,"verified_at":113,"disputed":204,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":113},"d970c00d-8f19-41ac-8b11-130a84f736b9","turtle-cove-off-cape-hawke","Turtle Cove is a celebrated dive and snorkel site located off Cape Hawke near Forster, within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on NSW's Mid North Coast. Named for the green and loggerhead turtles that frequent these waters, the site features rocky reef terrain with gutters, overhangs, and bommies that attract a rich mix of tropical and temperate marine life. Depths range from roughly 5 to 20 metres, making it accessible for confident snorkelers and divers alike. Part of a cluster of sites in the \"middle\" zone of the marine park alongside Cod Rock and Coral Corner, Turtle Cove offers clear coastal waters and the chance to spot wobbegong sharks, rays, kingfish, and grey nurse sharks patrolling the deeper edges. Access is by boat or charter only, with local operators running trips from Forster's Fisherman's Wharf.","intermediate","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],0.019966355545187876,0.010807147975432203,0.17465456611752675,0.039267691747678815,0.5194996840780587,0.005931196716683307,0.0022517887160261414,0.003925552076928399,0.10782783342982559,0.09363289095325351,0.05089338000507767,0.022667117711473735,0.010101493572502764,0.13041787265575605,0.008879014804725175,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],275.90079326595094,4.02197842188039,333.869816783408,312.5516780257546,304.7338913936286,316.9085505604148,131.59296332228718,228.78631314823065,297.77238248242696,303.05914441654045,326.7266131625798,261.7633949601527,336.34998771809546,317.4262920922814,304.23407202827366,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,119,122,126,130,133,136,139,142,145,148,151,154,157,160,163,166,170,173,176,179,182,185],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rocky shore entry","Access points like Pebbly Beach involve navigating rocks and boulders at the water's edge; care needed when entering and exiting the water.","caution",null,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":112,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Swell exposure","While generally protected, the area can receive ocean swells pushing around the headland, especially during easterly winds.",6,8,{"name":120,"description":121,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Marine stingers","Bluebottles and occasional box jellyfish can appear in warmer months along this stretch of coast.",{"name":123,"description":124,"severity":125,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Significant depth (24 m+ minimum)","The reef drops to 24–50 metres; the minimum depth is 24 m, making this site unsuitable for casual snorkeling and requiring advanced skills even for diving.","danger",{"name":127,"description":128,"severity":129,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong ocean currents","Strong ocean currents can sweep across the offshore reef, particularly on the eastern drop-off and around the gutters.","warning",{"name":131,"description":132,"severity":129,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Remote offshore location","Located over 3 km offshore with no shore access — requires boat transport and emergency response planning.",{"name":134,"description":135,"severity":129,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Decompression limits (deep reef)","Limited bottom time due to depth — even experienced divers get only 13–20 minutes on the reef before decompression limits.",{"name":137,"description":138,"severity":129,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Exposed offshore conditions","The Pinnacle is an exposed offshore site ~4 km from shore. Strong winds and swells can make conditions dangerous quickly. Requires very calm seas (BOM forecast of <1 m swell) for safe access.",{"name":140,"description":141,"severity":129,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong tidal currents","The reef peak sits at 24 m depth with walls dropping to 45+ m. Strong currents can sweep around the pinnacle, especially during tide changes, making it challenging to stay on site.",{"name":143,"description":144,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat-access only (remote offshore site)","Only accessible by boat charter — no shore entry available. Requires pre-arranged dive\u002Fsnorkel charter from Forster (Fisherman's Wharf). Remote location with no easy exit.",{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":125,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Extreme depth (24 m minimum)","The shallowest part of this offshore seamount is 24 m below the surface, well beyond recreational snorkelling depth. This site is primarily for advanced SCUBA diving.",{"name":149,"description":150,"severity":129,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Ocean swell and surge","The exposed rocky coastline receives direct ocean swell. Large waves can surge over rock platforms, making entry risky in moderate-to-high swell conditions.",{"name":152,"description":153,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Slippery rock platforms","The volcanic rock ledges at the base of Cape Hawke can be extremely slippery when wet, especially in the intertidal zone.",{"name":155,"description":156,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Outgoing tide current","Tidal movement around the headland can create strong currents, particularly on an outgoing tide when water drains from the adjacent bays.",{"name":158,"description":159,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharp reef and sea urchins","Shallow reef areas contain sharp barnacle-encrusted rock and sea urchins. Cut-proof footwear is strongly recommended.",{"name":161,"description":162,"severity":112,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Southerly Swells","Anemone Bay is sheltered from southerly swells, but when conditions are rough, the 75-minute boat journey and the site itself may be inaccessible or hazardous.",{"name":164,"description":165,"severity":125,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Open ocean swells","Exposed offshore site requiring calm seas — large southerly\u002Feasterly swells make the site unsafe or inaccessible.",{"name":167,"description":168,"severity":129,"season_start":36,"season_end":169},"Strong currents","Tidal and ocean currents can sweep divers and snorkelers away from the reef structure.",12,{"name":171,"description":172,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":169},"Boat traffic","Located in open water off Cape Hawke, boat traffic from fishing and dive charters can be a hazard.",{"name":174,"description":175,"severity":129,"season_start":36,"season_end":169},"Deep water reef","Reef rises from significant depth; strong swimming ability and snorkel fitness required to return to the boat.",{"name":177,"description":178,"severity":129,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Open ocean conditions","Exposed offshore location subject to swell, wind, and strong currents. Suitable only on calm days with light winds.",{"name":180,"description":181,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Limited shore access","No shore entry available — site is reached only by boat charter. Snorkellers must be comfortable with boat-assisted entries and exits.",{"name":183,"description":184,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Variable visibility","Visibility can range from 5m to 15m depending on weather, tide, and recent swell. After storms or rough seas, visibility may drop significantly.",{"name":186,"description":187,"severity":129,"season_start":117,"season_end":118},"Open ocean swell","Exposed to easterly and southerly ocean swells that can create challenging conditions, particularly during strong wind events.",{"directions":189,"parking":190,"facilities":191,"fees":194,"access_method":195},"Turtle Cove lies off Cape Hawke, approximately 1 km offshore from the cape. The site is 5 minutes by boat from Forster, which is about a 3.5-hour drive north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway. Forster's main boat ramps are at Little Street and the Forster-Tuncurry bridge area.","Parking available at Fisherman's Wharf, Little Street boat ramp, and along the Forster waterfront. Check for time limits and paid parking in summer.",[192,193],"parking","toilets","No entry fee; charter fees apply if booking with Dive Forster or Forster Dive Centre (~$80-$150 per person depending on trip).","boat","2026-07-27T02:55:33.166821Z","2026-08-04T05:36:16.070626Z",{"verdict":199,"evaluated_at":200,"models":201},"marginal","2026-10-02T02:22:34.988132Z",[202,209,214],{"model_name":203,"is_favourable":204,"value":205,"threshold":206,"unit":207,"operator":208},"Wind Speed",false,12.69,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":210,"is_favourable":204,"value":211,"threshold":212,"unit":213,"operator":208},"Wave Height",1.18,0.5,"m",{"model_name":215,"is_favourable":204,"value":216,"threshold":40,"unit":217,"operator":218},"Visibility",1.6,"","gte",{"verdict":199,"rating":220,"evaluated_at":200,"generated_at":200,"source":221,"confidence":222,"visibility":225,"parameters":226,"models_passed":40,"models_total":240},"Fair","precomputed",{"level":223,"value":224},"High",100,{"score":216,"rating":113,"confidence":113},[227,229,234,237,242],{"name":210,"value":228,"label":113,"unit":213,"favourable":204,"score":5,"optimal_max":212,"marginal_max":36},1.1800351776342386,{"name":230,"value":231,"label":113,"unit":232,"favourable":233,"score":43,"optimal_max":118,"marginal_max":169},"Swell Period",6.7,"s",true,{"name":203,"value":235,"label":113,"unit":207,"favourable":204,"score":36,"optimal_max":206,"marginal_max":236},12.691833812618706,15,{"name":238,"value":5,"label":113,"unit":239,"favourable":233,"score":43,"optimal_max":240,"marginal_max":241},"Precipitation","mm",5,20,{"name":243,"value":113,"label":244,"unit":217,"favourable":204,"score":36,"optimal_max":113,"marginal_max":113},"Tidal Phase","ebb",[246],{"id":247,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":233,"moderation_status":248,"license":249,"license_url":250,"attribution":251,"author_name":251},"d50f023e-ec12-4533-96f3-567716064fff","approved","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Rob Freijs",{"display_name":253},"Daniel","unverified",1790924517548]