www.abc.net.au · Guide
Independent news coverage of the Martin Island seal colony.
Dive Spot Guide•
Martin Island
Boat-access seal dive off Port Kembla with cool-water action.
Local operator required
This is a boat-run seal dive, so a local operator is the practical way to reach the site and time the conditions.
Martin Island is a seasonal NSW boat dive where fur seals are the headline attraction and current-aware timing matters.
About Martin Island
Martin Island is a boat-access seal dive off Port Kembla with cool-water wildlife action and plenty happening from the surface down. It is a seasonal New South Wales ocean site for divers who are comfortable with current-aware boat trips.
•
Research Estimate At Martin Island
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 5m
AccessModerate entry effort
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentModerate current
Where Is Martin Island?
Community sourced coordinates.
Featured Operators
Loading local operators…
Martin Island Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 25m
Depth Note
The seals move from the surface to the bottom, with the main listed maximum depth around 25m.
Best Season
Winter through spring, especially from June to October when the seals return in cooler water.
Typical Conditions
Boat-accessed ocean diving, cooler water, active seal encounters, and current that can become strong on some days.
Safety & Access At Martin Island
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Boat trafficCold waterStrong current
Safety Notes
Stay tight to the boat plan, keep current awareness high, and use cool-water exposure protection.
Access Restrictions
Seasonal seal trips are handled by local boat operators, and water conditions can change quickly around the island.
Legal Notes
Follow NSW seal approach distances and keep clear of hauled-out animals and seal groups.
Local Intel For Martin Island
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A boat dive built around seal encounters rather than reef structure, with action through the full water column.
Freediving
Not a freedive-first site because the boat approach and current make scuba the better default.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is possible only in the calmest surface windows and is less reliable than scuba.
Wildlife at Martin Island
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Martin Island
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Martin Island
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility5m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
