Julian Rocks is a small rocky outcrop about 2.5 kilometres offshore from Main Beach, and one of the best dive and snorkel sites in New South Wales. The rocks sit at the meeting point of warm tropical currents from the north and cooler southern waters, which produces an unusually rich mix of marine life: leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, manta rays, turtles, and hundreds of species of fish can all be seen here, depending on the season.
The surrounding waters are protected as a nature reserve. Several dive shops in town run regular trips out to the rocks; the crossing takes about 15 minutes by boat. Snorkelling is possible in calm conditions but the site is better appreciated on scuba — the best sections are below 10 metres. The grey nurse shark aggregation from June to November is the main draw for divers.
Julian Rocks is sacred to the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, who know it as Nguthungulli, after a creator being of the Dreamtime.