Julian Rocks

New South Wales, Australiareef12 m maxbeginner

Conditions & tides

Julian RocksNew South Wales

Rough · 1/5

conditions visualisation

Rough1/5

Rough at the surface right now — rough all day, no calm window.

Wind22 kn S

Current~0.4 kn S · model

Swell

1.3 m · 8s · SSE

Water

22 °C

Max depth

12 m

Conditions through the day

7 AM7 PM

Calmest current near slack — 14:30 & 02:15 local

Sunrise 05:48 · Sunset 19:10 local

Show details

Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 1.0 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Julian Rocks, also known as Nguthungulli, is a reef dive and snorkel site located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, approximately 5 to 10 minutes by boat from shore. It sits near Cape Byron, the most easterly point in Australia, and has been rated one of the best snorkel spots in Australia by Australian Geographic Magazine.

The reef ranges in depth from 3 m to 12 m at the snorkel areas, with a maximum depth of 13.5 m, over a bottom type of reef. Snorkellers are guided to the most protected and sheltered sections of the site, keeping them in shallower water with abundant marine life nearby and the boat always within a short swim.

Marine life at Julian Rocks includes turtles, rays, a variety of colourful fish, crustaceans, yellowtail, seapike, silver sweep, pomfret, nannygais, bullseyes, moon wrasse, blue gropers, and combfish. Dolphins are regularly spotted during the boat transit, and whales are seen seasonally between May and November.

Read the full guide

Access is by boat only, with the crossing taking 5 to 10 minutes. The site is suitable for beginners, though it is an open-ocean environment; snorkellers must be able to swim 200 m unassisted in open water. Previous snorkelling experience is mandatory. Visibility is generally good, and trips run year-round.

AI-written site guide