The waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve are some of the busiest in the Northern Beaches, teeming with both human and ocean life.  

Home to over 150 marine species, early autumn is a great time to check out a variety of creatures visiting the reserve. So grab a mask and snorkel and dive on in – there’s plenty of locals to see:

Dusky whalers 

Dusky whalers – commonly known as ‘Duskies’ – seek out the protected waters in the bay to give birth between February and June each year. If you’re lucky enough to spot one – they tend to be shy and skittish - it’s likely to be a smaller juvenile, so give them a wide berth and watch from a distance.

Learn more about ‘Duskies’ in the bay in this video with marine ecologist Sian Liddy.

Turtles

Who doesn’t go ‘awww’ at the thought of swimming with a turtle? In recent weeks there have been plenty of sightings of these iconic marine favourites by swimmers and snorkellers alike. Green sea turtles love the reserve because of the shallow water environment that provides them with a bountiful supply of tasty seagrass, algae and invertebrates.  

Check out the photo ‘Snack break in the grass’ from teenager Amanda Cannon who was one of the Highly Commended Youth (12-17) winners in 2024 Underwater Photo Competition.

Rays

Rays get a bad rap due to their venomous barb, but in reality they’re a largely gentle, placid bunch of creatures with a penchant for gliding along the sandy bottom of the bay.  Keep an eye out for sublime rays, fiddler rays, stingarees and the eagle rays with their diamond shaped wings

Check out the photo ‘Chillin’ from Youth Photographer of the Year (12-17yrs) in the 2024 Underwater Photography Competition - Raphael Hampartzoumi.

Eastern Blue Groper

Known fondly as ‘Gary the Groper’ by the locals, you could be lucky to encounter this captivating creature at any time of the year. Adult females boast reddish to brown hues, while their male counterparts dazzle with a vibrant blue coloration, earning them their name.

And if you’re extra lucky like Teya McEwarn – Highly Commended in the category Human Connection with ‘Curious Friend’ - Underwater Photography Competition 2024, you may be able to snap a selfie for your collection.

If you’re interested in learning more about the marine life and educating others, you can become a volunteer for the Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay.  Find out more on our website.