I have spent many years snorkelling and spearfishing at both the northern and southern ends of Stanwell Park. This article focuses on the northern end. 

The entry area at the north end of the beach involves getting through the surf, so make sure it’s a relatively calm day. Two things to watch for are the boulders (so make sure you get in and out only where there is sand) and the channel that runs towards the headland. Depending on the size of the waves and the state of the tide this channel can have quite a strong current. 

The first part of the snorkel is in a shallow (1m deep) boulder field where you may see small bream, black drummer and luderick. Growing on the rocks is the lime green seaweed, Caulerpa. To the north, around the small islet the water gets deeper (3-4m) and you will see rock cale, sweep, mado and maybe the occasional blue groper. 

The northern headland is called ‘The Pinnacles’ and defined by a rock wall. About 20m or so south of the wall are a couple of reefs that rise up to about 5m from the surface and are worth a look. On the boulders and reef you may see cunjevoi and in some areas the beautiful red jewel anemones. 

In early summer schools of small sandy sprats and yellowtail can be found in the shallows. They are preyed upon Australian salmon, which migrate along the coast in large schools on their annual spawning run. In turn, these are preyed upon by dolphins and, at times, seals. 

The whole food chain comes alive over the summer and I’ve been visited by seals while snorkelling but not yet by dolphins. 

Watch more of Duncan's video at Illawarra Underwater on YouTube.