The Steps

The Steps is a shore-entry reef dive located at Kurnell, within Botany Bay National Park, on the southern shore of Botany Bay. Entry is made via a concrete step access point that leads directly into the water, providing a straightforward shore entry even when small waves are present. The site sits within a bay protected from large ocean swells, with close parking, flat gear-setup areas, and a short surface swim to the reef.

The reef follows a distinct edge and sand line running roughly north–south, creating a natural navigation guide. Depth ranges from 5 m near the entry point down to 18 m at the sand line, with the reef structure and marine life accessible throughout the shallower 8–12 m zone. Routes can approach the 18 m Open Water limit, so divers should be comfortable with their buoyancy before treating it as a routine dive.

The Steps is widely recognised as a reliable site for weedy sea dragons, which are spotted year-round, often within minutes of descending. Regular encounters also include blue gropers, Port Jackson sharks, giant cuttlefish, seahorses, nudibranchs, stingrays, and eagle rays. Giant cuttlefish are particularly active during winter months.