Bondi clear but algal blooms linger

A bloom was first spotted at Bondi at 6.30am (AEDT) on Tuesday, with subsequent outbreaks popping up at Clovelly Beach and Gordons Bay later in the day.

On the NSW central coast, blooms were spotted off Wamberal, Copacabana, Terrigal, Avoca and North Avoca beaches at around 9.30am but dispersed shortly after, a Gosford City Council spokesperson said.

No beaches were closed on the central coast.

While Gordons Bay and Clovelly, which resembled tomato juice on Tuesday afternoon, remain closed, Bondi Beach has reopened.

"With the red algae leaving and mostly harmless, Bondi is putting the flags back up again. Enjoy!" Beachwatch wrote on Twitter.

The bloom has been identified as Noctiluca scintillans, is caused by an upwelling of colder nutrient-rich water.

Also called "red tide" or "fire in the sea", the algae is non-toxic but contains high ammonia levels that can cause minor skin irritation if you swim in it, a NSW Office of Water spokesman told AAP.


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