Underwater Photo Location: Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, NSW

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Julian Rocks is rated as one of the best dive sites in Australia. Coral growth is limited but the abundance and diversity of larger animals is enormous. Manta Rays, Leopard Sharks and Grey Nurse Sharks visit at different times of the year. From the sharks, to pelagics and various species of anemone fish ... through to the numerous species of nudibranchs Julian Rocks provides a prolific concentration of marine life - big and small, all in one location. This makes every dive at Julian a different diving experience. Julian Rocks is a protected marine sanctuary and a no-take zone. The reefs of Julian Rocks attract a great diversity and approx 550 species of marine life have been recorded in the area. Julian rocks is situated within the Cape Byron Marine park in northern NSW, on the east coast of Australia. It is an aggregation site for the endangered grey nurse shark, Carcharias taurus . Julian Rocks is also home to an incredible variety of marine species including wobbegongs, rays, turtles, fish, nudibranchs and many more. Humpback whales are often seen passing through the area during their annual winter migration to breeding grounds. Dolphins are seen all year round. "My attraction to Julian Rocks began with the desire to dive with Grey Nurse sharks ... and now I am hooked on sharks ... and constantly amazed at the diversity of marine life at Julian Rocks." I am now a regular visitor to Byron Bay and dive Julian Rocks every Friday. Together with a number of fellow divers, we have commenced photographing the various species of marine life and recording these images on a website dedicated to Julian Rocks. Lynda Clarke has put a serious effort in cataloguing the marine biology of the Julian Rocks and surrounds. She has collated brilliant photos and loads of information - sharks, rays, turtles, fish, starfish, nudibranchs and more. For a glimpse of the marine life that makes the Julian Rocks special, these images can be viewed on website 2 commercial operators run several snorkeling and diving trips to Julian Rocks every day, as well as whale whatching and dolphin tours.The water temperature at Julian Rocks ranges from approx 17 deg through the winter upto 26 deg in the summer. The most common dive sites are the Cod Hole, Hugo's Trench, the Nursery and the Needles. Further out from Julian Rocks, commercial operators will also regularly visit two other reef sites known as Spot-X and Mackeral Boulders.

Facts about Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, NSW