Catherine Hill Coal Loader
The old coal loader is a well-known highlight of the bay, providing a shallow diving experience with a maximum depth of 9m. Dive enthusiasts can explore a variety of ship chains, cables, and hardware, including the fascinating remains of the SS Wallarah. The sandy bottom of this dive site unveils a diverse range of marine life, with schools of fish, nudibranchs, sea stars, and rays on display. There have even been reports of surfers encountering bull sharks in the area.
Located near the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club on Hale Street, Catherine Hill Bay, within the Lake Macquarie City Council, New South Wales, Australia, this dive site offers good visibility of up to 7m. It is especially suited for beginner divers who want to discover the wonders of Australia's underwater realm.
Located near the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club on Hale Street, Catherine Hill Bay, within the Lake Macquarie City Council, New South Wales, Australia, this dive site offers good visibility of up to 7m. It is especially suited for beginner divers who want to discover the wonders of Australia's underwater realm.
Diving Conditions Score for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
5.5
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Depth
9m
Visibility
7m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Wave Height
0.88m
Wind Speed
14.9 m/s
Water Temp
20°C
Visibility
57.72km
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
7.8s
Air Temperature
17.7°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.07963577661431/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.8m, Wind 11.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 23:00 with score 6.812791194968553/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Catherine Hill Coal Loader: 06:00
Sunset at Catherine Hill Coal Loader: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Catherine Hill Coal Loader are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
17:00Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 0.8m (9.55s), Wind: 11.5 m/s
Best Night
23:00Score: 6.8/10
Waves: 0.74m, Wind: 13.2 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Catherine Hill Coal LoaderAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Catherine Hill Coal Loader
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Summer
Avg. Score: 8.5/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
July
Score: 8.6
June
Score: 8.5
August
Score: 8.5
Ideal Conditions for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Water Temp
19.4°C / 66.9°F
January
Visibility
13.0m / 42.7ft
November
Wave Height
1.3m / 4.3ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Catherine Hill Coal Loader
Catherine Hill Coal Loader follows southern hemisphere patterns with January being the warmest month (19.4°C) and June the coldest (12.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.3m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). June is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 19, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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