Jervis Bay is located three hours south of Sydney. A popular weekend getaway in the New South Wales South Coast region, Jervis Bay has been recognised with Marine & National Park status. Many people come to dive, snorkel, fish, surf, whale watch and explore the parkland in the area.
The bay itself is approximately 15km long and 10km wide. It is a spacious natural harbour sheltered by headlands of forest. With a depth of 27 metres it is thought to be the deepest sheltered harbour in Australia. The waters are remarkably beautiful and range in hue from aquamarine to a deep blue. Boat and shore dives are available.
Jervis Bay offers some of the most diversified scuba diving along the Australian east coast. The bay has something for every diver … reefs, drop-offs, caves, crevices, archways and gutters. The average depth of dive sites is 20 metres; most are multi-level with rocky-reef topography. Some sites have excellent walls, swim-throughs and bubble caves and can drop off to 50 metres. Soft corals and sponge gardens are part of the beauty, alongside large schooling fish, weedy sea dragons, red Indian fish, a variety of sharks, plus many other vertebrates and invertebrates. Jervis Bay and the waters off the headlands are often visited by whales. Dolphins live in the bay year-round.
The weedy sea dragon is often seen in the area, as stunningly beautiful sea unique to Australia’s southern coastline. One of the most popular dives in JB is “the Seal Colony” off St. George’s headland. Over 50 Australian fur seals migrate every year to this area between June and October.
The town of Huskisson, the hub of Jervis Bay, is a small township on the edge of the bay and the gateway to most water-based activities. Huskisson and neighbouring Vincentia offers many accommodation options, from caravan parks and budget hotels to charming bed and breakfasts and luxury rental homes.
A stop at the Husky Pub, Huskisson’s main drinking hole, is a must, along with a hike in the nearby national park. There is also a movie theatre, cafes, and local maritime museum.
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