Dive Condition Rating System

Dive Condition Rating System – NSW Central Coast

Colour Codes & Star Ratings

Each dive site or daily condition is rated using a colour + star system, giving divers an at-a-glance understanding of difficulty, visibility, and safety. 

This Dive Condition Atlas provides a standardised rating system for the most popular sites along the NSW Central Coast. Ratings are based on depth, visibility, surge/current exposure, and diver competency levels. Use this as a pre-dive briefing tool, wall chart, or personal reference.

Green – Beginner Friendly (★☆☆☆☆)

• Visibility: 3–10 m typical, occasionally better.
• Depth: 0–15 m.
• Conditions: Minimal surge, low current, easy shore or boat entry.
• Best Sites: Terrigal Haven, Bateau Bay, Two Poles.
• Who For: Discover Scuba, Open Water students, snorkellers, casual fun divers.
• Marine Life Highlights: Blue Gropers, Pipefish, cuttlefish, wobbegongs, schooling fish.

Blue – Intermediate (★★☆☆☆ to ★★★☆☆)

• Visibility: 5–10 m, can push beyond on good days.
• Depth: 15–25 m.
• Conditions: Some surge, occasional current, boat access or longer swims required.
• Best Sites: Skillion Cave, Bateau Reef, First Point, 3 mile reef
• Who For: Certified divers with comfort in open water, Advanced Adventurer
• Marine Life Highlights: Rays, nudibranchs, schools of kingfish, moray eels.

Black – Advanced (★★★★☆)

• Visibility: 2–15 m, can exceed 20 m in winter.
• Depth: 25–40 m.
• Conditions: Strong surge or current possible, open-ocean exposure, requires navigation & gas planning.
• Best Sites: Foggy Cave, The Pinnacle, deeper reefs off Terrigal.
• Who For: Experienced divers, Nitrox users, divers trained in deep and limited visibility.
• Marine Life Highlights: Grey nurse sharks, pelagics, large schools of trevally.

Red – Technical / Extreme (★★★★★)

• Visibility: 10–20 m, variable.
• Depth: 40 m+ (often 45–55m).
• Conditions: Demands decompression planning, redundant gas supply, specialist training.
• Best Sites: Wrecks like TSS Galava, SS Kiama, SS Birchgrove Park.
• Who For: Technical divers with staged decompression training.
• Marine Life Highlights: Historical wreck exploration, deepwater species, rare encounters. 

Special Category: HMAS Adelaide Wreck (TBU)

The ex-HMAS Adelaide is unique because different sections earn different ratings:

• Blue (★★★☆☆): Bow, bridge, hangar — accessible to Advanced divers.
• Black (★★★★☆): Engine room, missile launcher — confined penetration and depth exposure.
• Red (★★★★★): Tech penetration dives, extended bottom times below 30 m.

📊 Summary Chart

🔑 Benefits of the System

• Simple Visual Guide: Divers know immediately whether a site is suitable
• Standardised Briefings: Presenting consistent information
• Scalable: To freediving (depth bands) or snorkelling (entry safety ratings)
• Educational: Reinforces training pathways (O/W → Advanced → Tech)