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Diving Jervis Bay: The Docks
Nestled inside the northern head of Jervis Bay, the Docks is a fabulous dive site that is protected from the summer north east winds. Often under-rated as it is sometimes thought of as a backup site like Bowen Island, in truth the Docks offers underwater experiences that could offer something to divers of all levels. With a maximum depth of around 20m, the Docks is often used as the site for a second dive.Named for a series of above water natural cuttings into the rocky shoreline that resemble docks, there are several distinctive underwater features of this site. Generally the dive charter boats anchor around a spot at the Docks known as “deco rock”, a rock that sits in 4-6m, perfect for that end of dive safety stop prior to surfacing.
Out from the shoreline is a rocky wall dropping from 10m or so down to around 20m. This wall consists of a number of swim throughs and one in particular called the “vertical swim through” drops down to the sand at around 20.
Moving into the shoreline, one will strike a wall that continues as a sheer cliff above the water line. There a couple of swimthroughs and overhangs along this wall, as well as the “double decker cave”, two caves, one on top of the other. At the entrance to this cave, there is often a large school of old wives, while the caves play host to a family of Bleekers devilfish.
Continuing west from the double decker cave, the diver will reach a site classified as separate from the Docks, known as Long Cave. The double decker cave actually forms the half way mark between the Docks and Long Cave.
After visiting the double decker cave, its generally time to meander back towards deco rock, and the boat. Most divers will move along the wall, coming to the cuttings that give the Docks its name. In this area is a clear area with large schools and from time to time grey nurses have been spotted here.
While the Docks isn’t my first choice at JB, this only because of the incredible diversity offered here. Certainly I am never disappointed to dive here.