Sheltered from the ocean swell on most days, this epic spot to go snorkelling in Sydney provides serious diversity with everything from large schools of mullet and trevally to small harmless sharks such as dusky whalers and wobbegongs. You might even see a hawksbill turtle if you’re lucky.

The underwater topography is quite dramatic under the lip of the Clovelly Ocean Pool’s edge, located on the southern side of this hot spot. Big boulders harbour giant cuttlefish and sponges. If you’re up for a bit of a journey (strong swimmers only and only attempt when glassily flat), you can explore more of the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve by snorkelling around the point to Gordons Bay. Along the way, you might come face to face with the region’s famous 1.2-metre blue grouper Bluey.

At Botany Bay’s southern entrance, Kurnell is perhaps the most underrated snorkelling location in Sydney, harbouring the largest congregation of weedy sea dragons, which looks a lot like a seahorse, in Australia.Captain Cook’s first stomping ground is one of the most diverse underwater communities on the city’s coast, home to moray eels, Port Jackson sharks and loads more. Occasionally, you may be surprised by an Antarctic fur seal or two, too.

A colourful world of underwater life can be found shacked up along the jetty, sea floor and pylons at Chowder Bay, accessible via Clifton Gardens Reserve. Navigate its slow-paced waters to spot decorator crabs, Eastern Fiddler Rays, large schools of fish, two species of seahorses and the zebra-striped Old Wife Fish.

There’s also a bunch of shellfish to sniff out. Once you’re done, take a carefree dip in the netted area, one of Sydney’s best secret swimming spots. You’ll also find a children’s playground, toilet block and barbecues in the area.

Protected by cliffs at either ends, Malabar Beach offers family-friendly snorkelling in Sydney. It also draws the diving crowd thanks to its two individual shipwrecks which crashed in 1931 and 1955. While diving does offer the ultimate vantage point, snorkelling can provide glimpses of the historical sites. But if it’s action you seek, you’ll be far more impressed by the vivid sea life dotted with fish and larger scene-stealers. Change rooms, public toilets, showers and a fenced playground are all located nearby.

As pretty as Oak Park is, flipper straight towards the crescent-shaped wall to find some of the best snorkelling in Sydney. You’ll lose yourself in the fascinating sponge gardens as well as a plethora of vividly hued fish species.

Stay alert for rays too, though they’re quite challenging to find (making it all the more fun), and don’t be surprised to catch a groper shuffling at your tail. The park itself features public toilets, barbecues, a small playground, showers and change rooms.

Snorkelling in Sydney doesn’t get much prettier than this. Wattamolla Beach at the southern tip of the city offers still, clear waters in a sheltered lagoon for novices to explore. Got plenty of experience under your belt?

Venture further into the ocean as you hunt for harmless wobbegong and Port Jackson sharks, rays and a myriad of brightly coloured sponges and sea squirts. Make a day of it by bringing lunch and enjoying it in the nearby picnic area where you’ll find barbecues and toilets.

Being so close to the shore, the long, protected reef on the North Harbour side of Manly makes Fairlight a great introduction to snorkelling for kids. You can swim out a fair distance and still be in three or four feet of water before the shelf ultimately drops off. Look out for kelp fish and John Dory. Snorkelling is at its best in the morning and afternoon with a favourable northerly wind. There are showers and toilets on the beach, plus there’s an ocean pool to relax in once you’re done bobbing for sea life.

Avoid the crowds and head to The Basin Campground on the eastern shores of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Pittwater. Upstream, the estuary is protected by a shark net so you can watch the tides go in and out along the seagrass beds with little worry.

There are plenty of smaller tropical species in the warmer months but also keep your eyes peeled for seahorses, small cuttlefish and schools of rays. The campground sells ice and firewood if you choose to stay overnight at this Sydney snorkelling winner and there’s also toilets, cold showers, picnic tables and barbecues to take advantage of while you’re visiting.

You might recognise Bare Island from Mission: Impossible 2 (that motorbike zooming onto the island scene) but snorkelling here is a much more calming experience. In its tranquil conditions, nooks around the island’s less-exposed coves are ideal for both beginners and the more experienced.

On any one day you might come across sea slugs, sponge gardens and pineapple fish or perhaps an octopus or two. Keep an eye out for one of the resident turtles, though they’re hard to spot. What you will always find, however, are shops, a children’s playground and public toilets right near the island.

There’s really nice snorkelling off Freshy but the caveat is that you really have to check sea conditions to make sure waves aren’t breaking heavily on the rocks. Look out for a southerly, too. When it’s calm, park up in the car park, stroll down to the beach and walk around the swimming pool and enter at the inflow (keep the rocks to your left).

There are loads of schooling fish such as king fish to keep you focused. There are public toilets at the beach plus an eight-lane saltwater ocean pool at the north end. You’ll also find a feed at one of the cafes that overlook the beach.