Sand flats
Underwater sand flats stretch from Shelly Beach to the deepest part of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (11-12 m).
Marine life
These sand flats are a habitat for various small invertebrates, including molluscs, worms, and crustaceans.
Fish that feed on these invertebrates include whiting, goatfish, tarwhine, trevally, blue morwong, eagle rays, and common stingarees.
Eagle and fiddler rays, along with Port Jackson sharks, can often be seen resting on the sandy bottom.
Ambush predators like flathead and angel sharks partially bury themselves in the sand, patiently waiting for prey to approach.
Common Sydney octopus construct dens within the sand flats using shells and rocks.
Male Port Jackson shark resting in sand flat habitat during its winter mating season. (Photo: John Turnbull)
Sergeant baker cruising over the sand flats. (Photo: John Turnbull)
Fiddler ray hiding in the sand. (Photo: John Turnbull)
Common Sydney octopus emerging from its den in the sand. (Photo: John Turnbull)
Goatfish feeding in the sand. (Photo: William Gladstone)
Banded tube anemone emerging from the sand. These are common in the sand flat habitat. (Photo: John Turnbull)
