Good snorkel spot tucked away in the heart of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, NSW, where you can see the local Eastern Blue Groper. Clovelly is a lesser-known snorkel spot, but is great when combined with a beach day, with sea plants and fish just meters from the beach.
Pros
Cons

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Where is Clovelly Beach?
The snorkel spot is located in the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, and in the coastal town of Clovelly, on the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the Australian state of New South Wales. The snorkel spot runs from the beach through the narrow inlet.
Snorkel Spot

Snorkel Review
Highlights

No Coral

2-3 Meters Average Depth

Ok Visibility

Medium Difficulty

Cafes nearby

Free to snorkel

Sea Urchins Present

Jellyfish unlikely
When:
Who:
Tour Cost:
Star Rating:
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The snorkel spot is located in the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, in the Eastern coastal town of Clovelly, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. It is a 40-minute bus journey from the city centre, and in-between neighbouring Bondi and Coogee. This is a popular snorkel spot in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, and is home to local Eastern Blue Gropers and marine life.


The sheltered cove features a sandy beach which leads down to a rocky seabed, with increasing sea plants and kelp the further out you venture. The sea plants provide shelter for an array of small sea life including, small fish, Blue Groper Wrasse, crabs, sea-snails and on occasion sting rays.
Safety Tip:
A few safety tips include wearing flippers, the swell can be strong from incoming waves the further from the beach you swim. There are sea urchins in the rocks and flippers will protect your feet. The entrance from the beach is relatively straight forward, be aware of rocks.

The shallow waters and rocky coastline make it ideal for both beginners (in the shallows), and experienced snorkelers. It’s a peaceful, accessible location, perfect for a relaxed snorkelling session. However, the waters can get choppy with large waves and swell as you venture past the swimming pool on the right hand side. Be careful, as I found the swell strong.
Marine Life



The Eastern Blue Groper Wrasse lives at Clovelly Beach. They are primarily carnivorous and feed on a variety of marine life including crabs, shrimps, snails, sea urchins, seaweed and small fish.
They’re known for their strong jaws, which they use to crush the shells of crustaceans and molluscs, as well as their ability to feed on various benthic organisms (those found on the ocean floor). The Blue Gropers were very friendly and tame and I think they’re used to humans as they did get surprisingly close.




The seabed consists of a mix of rocky outcrops and sandy patches, creating an ideal environment for both seaweed and shelter for marine life. The colourful kelp thrives in the cooler waters and rocky reefs around Clovelly, growing in thick, leafy clusters that sway with the current. These areas are often teeming with marine life, making it a prime spot for snorkelers to explore the diverse underwater world.







Top Tip:
You can see the Eastern Blue Groper close to shore, often seen feeding in the shallows on the left hand side of the beach.
Summary
Clovelly Beach is a good destination for snorkeling, particularly if you’re staying in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The narrow cove is rich in marine life, with vibrant plant growth along the rocky seabed and a variety of fish and other sea creatures.
The nearby nature reserve is home to the Eastern Groper Wrasse, as well as several smaller fish species.
Although the bay can experience larger waves and swells further out, the waters closer to shore are generally calmer. If you’re snorkeling near the beach, you may even encounter the iconic Eastern Blue Gropers.
The snorkel spot is nearby and a short 15 minute walk from Gordons Bay snorkel spot. Another popular snorkel spot is Cabbage Tree Bay, but slightly further based in Manly, Sydney.
Tour Guide Options
It is free to snorkel and accessible from the beach to the aquatic reserve.
Best Snorkel Spot
In my opinion, the best snorkeling spot is 5-meters from the beach, where on the left-hand side you can see the local Eastern Blue Groper, as shown below.

Best Time Of Year
You can snorkel all year round in calm wave conditions, but conditions can be better during Australia’s Summer season which runs from April to October. The marine life can vary due to the time of the year.
The best time for snorkeling is early morning when visibility is clearer, and the marine life can be more active.

Popular Marine Life

Eastern Groper Wrasse

Sand Mullet

Stripey

Damselfish

Black-Spot Goatfish

Australian Mado

Rare Marine Life

Stingrays

What I Saw
(Seen on December, 2024)
Eastern Blue Groper Wrasse | Turban Snail |
Black-Spot Goatfish | Old Wife Fish |
Tarwhine | Black Sea Urchin |
Parore | Sand Mullet |
Smooth Toadfish | Maori Wrasse |

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Things to Do

Frequently Asked Questions
To get to Clovelly Beach for snorkeling from Sydney CBD, you have a few options:
1. By Car (Approx. 20-30 minutes)
- Route: Head south on Oxford Street from the CBD, then turn left onto Bondi Road, which takes you towards Clovelly Road. Follow signs to Clovelly Beach.
- Parking: There is limited parking near Clovelly Beach, so it’s best to go early, especially on weekends.
2. By Public Transport (Approx. 40-50 minutes)
- Option 1 (Bus):
- Take a bus from Bondi Junction Interchange (a short train ride from Central or Town Hall stations). Bus routes like 339 or 361 go directly to Clovelly. The ride will take about 20-25 minutes.
- Option 2 (Train + Bus):
- Take a train from Sydney CBD (Central Station) to Bondi Junction. From there, transfer to a bus (routes like 339 or 361) that goes to Clovelly. Total travel time would be around 40-50 minutes.
3. By Bike (Approx. 30 minutes)
- If you’re up for it, cycling from the CBD to Clovelly can be a scenic ride, especially if you go along the coastline. There are bike paths that will get you close to Clovelly Beach.
It is free to snorkel, entering from the beach. We’re not aware of any snorkel tours that operate.
You can expect to see a variety of marine life, including:
- Fish: Eastern Blue Groper, Silver Trevally, Mullet, Yellowtail, Bream.
- Invertebrates: Sea Urchins, and Crabs.
- Reef Life: Kelp forests, soft corals, sponges, and schools of smaller fish like Silver Drummers and Pike.
The protected bay near Coogee and Bondi on the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney is a popular snorkel spot. However, in our opinion Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is our top pick and best snorkl spot in Sydney, located in the Northern Beaches suburb of Manly, a short 25-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay (Harbour).
Gordons Bay is a snorkel spot near by which offers comparable snorkels in a larger bay.

Luke
FOUNDER
Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse to live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.
New South Wales Snorkel Reviews
