Looking into
Manly beach and stretching between Manly and
Shelley beaches lies Cabbage Tree Bay, which is an aquatic reserve that aims to protect the marine life in the waters there. The reserve is an important sanctuary for underwater life such as weedy sea dragons and elegant wrasses, black cods and blue gropers.
The walk from Manly beach upto Shelly beach is a winding path with beautiful lookouts enroute. The flowers, grasshoppers and little insects along the way start making up to the rich biodiversity exhibited by the reserve. Lying under these pristine blue waters of the bay are a large variety of unique flora, fauna and vegetation that this reserve protects.
An interesting diving /snorkeling spot within the aquatic reserve is the Fairy Bower Reef. When the water is calm, the snorkeling here is said to be extremely interesting, rather outstanding. Marine life frequently spotted include rays, squid, cuttlefish, toadfish, green moray and trevally. You really don't need to snorkel or dive too deep to see these marine life. It is not uncommon to come across dusky sharks too around the boundary of the reserve.
The bay featuring shallow crystal waters and wind-sculpted sandstone cliffs is a lovely place to observe marine life. Fishing is illegal and the reserve is patrolled day and night by Fisheries offices so don't try fishing here lest you should be caught.
The bay leads to Shelley beach which is a quiet beach compared to Manly and a top spot for diving and snorkeling. The headland has ample parking space and also a lookout on the top of a small flight of stairs.
The bay is a lovely place to get a closer look at nature or just relax on a sandy and beautiful beach.
