Dee Why - Curl Curl
The reef between Dee Why and Curl Curl, Sydney: depths, the sandline, and why this one wants a boat or a sea scooter.
The reef between Dee Why and Curl Curl has some good spots, but it is far enough from any access point that it needs a boat or a scooter.
The Dee Why to Curl Curl map
The rip off North Curl Curl
I normally scooter out from the North Curl Curl lifesaving club, swell permitting. On one occasion I met a powerful rip starting at the north end of the beach — exciting to scoot out at speed, then very slow coming back even in a higher gear. A diver without a scooter would have made little progress against it, and would have run low on air a long way from the beach. I do not know how often they run here, but it is worth knowing they do.
Whenever you go far, and off the popular sites, carry an SMB and ideally a PLB. Models like the Nautilus Lifeline cost around $300 and fit in a BCD pocket. This video covers the types available, including the satellite ones.
Along the reef
Coming from Dee Why and heading south, the first third is not much: the sandline sits at 8–12 m and there is little happening.
Through the second and third, the sandline drops away to 18–20 m, the reef gets more varied, and the sponges thicken towards the easternmost part.