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📷 Stuart Pritchards · Pexels

Merimbula Wharf

3.7 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Merimbula Wharf is a year-round dive site near the NSW coast offering accessible exploration with documented marine biodiversity.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Water temp
10–18°C
Shore entryFamily-friendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Water temp
10–18 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Merimbula Wharf location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.8 kn
Wave
0.52 m
Water
17°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSW (21%)
Now: NNE (30°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.26m

Today: High 02:00 (+0.12m), Low 07:00 (-0.16m)

+0.6 m0 m-0.7 m
▲ 02:00 · +0.12m ▼ 07:00 · -0.16m ▲ 14:00 · +0.44m ▼ 21:00 · -0.3m Now +0.1m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.3 · high Air PM2.52 · good 05:55 17:54
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 10.2 0.56 6 0mm
09-20 7.8 0.54 6 0mm
09-21 17.2 1.14 6 0mm
09-22 8.9 0.8 6 0mm
09-23 7.9 0.98 6 0mm
09-24 13.2 1.24 6 0mm
09-25 4.6 1.1 5 0mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (10–18°C)

About this spot

Merimbula Wharf sits in a sheltered marine environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. The site draws divers looking for a straightforward entry point into local underwater conditions. With 12 documented species observations and 3 community videos available, there is solid reference material for planning a dive here. The wharf structure itself provides an artificial reef habitat that attracts local marine life. Divers can expect to encounter organisms typical of southern Australian temperate waters. The site operates outside a marine protected area, which may offer different access terms than nearby reserves. Year-round diving is possible at Merimbula Wharf, making it a flexible option for visiting or local divers. The documented species sightings and video evidence suggest consistent marine activity. Before diving, check local conditions, tide schedules, and any mooring or access requirements specific to the wharf infrastructure.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

WreckShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 7 mm semi-dry
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 7 mm semi-dry
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 17182km · ~3952kg · €71

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Merimbula Wharf?

Year-round diving is viable at this site. However, local water conditions vary seasonally. Check tide forecasts and recent dive reports before planning a visit to confirm current visibility and safety.

What depth and difficulty level should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Merimbula Wharf are not publicly documented. Contact local dive operators or the dive community for current site-specific information before your visit.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are recorded at this site. Community videos (3 available) show the types of marine life present. Review these resources to understand what wildlife frequents the wharf ecosystem.

Do I need permits or special access?

Merimbula Wharf is not inside a marine protected area. However, confirm any local boating regulations, wharf access rules, or seasonal restrictions with NSW maritime authorities before diving.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

73 records · 43 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Parvulastra exigua

Asteroidea · Asterinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×1records

Dendrodoris nigra

Gastropoda · Dendrodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Jan 2026
×2records

Octopus tetricus

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Jan 2026
×2records

Palaemon serenus

Malacostraca · Palaemonidae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Jan 2026
×1records

Guinusia chabrus

Malacostraca · Plagusiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Bathytoshia brevicaudata

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Jan 2026
×1records

Pachygrapsus laevimanus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Jan 2026
×1records

Cabestana spengleri

Gastropoda · Cymatiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Jan 2026
×1records

Leptograpsus variegatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Jan 2026
×2records

Nodilittorina pyramidalis

Gastropoda · Littorinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Jan 2026
×1records

Hydatina physis

Gastropoda · Aplustridae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×2records

Heliocidaris erythrogramma

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Scuba Diving MERIMBULA WHARF

SBVideo
💬 2 top comments
  • Again the critters were very accommodating to you SB, especially the occy. They normally scoot asap. Loved the wobbie! Got yourself some gear. Appreciated the vid, thanks. You have heaps of earlier vids, I need to get out the popcorn, and engage with, I'll get there.

    @Paul-w9r1r · 👍 0
  • Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 0:08 Gloomy Octopus 0:33 Wobbegong Shark 0:43 Lost fishing rod 0:50 Stingray 1:08 Can you i.d this fish in the comments please? 1:17 Octopus greets Scuba Diver

    @stuartbakervideo · 👍 0

Siphonophore - Merimbula Wharf 2002.m4v

Dave Bryant - Travel and Underwater Videos.

Diving Merimbula Wharf

Dirtbikes and Diving
wind peaks Nov-Oct-Feb, calmest Jul-Apr-May, dry Jan-Dec, water 10-18°C.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jan (100/100) Worst: Jun (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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