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Boat access listing with approximate depth and cave silting note.
Dive Spot Guide•
The Caves
Boat-access cave dive off Albany with rich temperate life
Scuba DivingFreedivingBoatIntermediate
Cave
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Local operator required
Local boat support is helpful for access, positioning, and keeping the dive conservative when swell builds.
Boat-access cave system off Michaelmas Island with beginner-to-intermediate sections, silt risk, and year-round use in settled weather.
About The Caves
The Caves is a boat-access cave system off Michaelmas Island near Albany, with beginner-to-intermediate sections over rock and sand. It rewards careful trim more than speed: the cave floors silt up easily, and swell can push water through the chambers. The payoff is a scenic temperate reef dive with gorgonian growth, sponges, and plenty of fish around the ledges and bommies.
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Where Is The Caves?
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Community sourced coordinates.
The Caves Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
15m - 28m
Depth Note
Guide sources place the cave system from the mid-teens on sand to roughly 28m.
Best Season
Year-round; settled weather and lighter swell are best.
Typical Conditions
Year-round boat dives are possible, but the cave sections are more comfortable on settled days with light swell.
Safety & Access At The Caves
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Low visibilityOverhead environmentSurge
Safety Notes
Treat the caves as an overhead environment, keep buoyancy tight, and avoid finning the bottom so the silt does not cloud the chambers.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; careful buoyancy is important because the cave floor silts easily.
Legal Notes
Standard boating and marine-area rules apply.
Local Intel For The Caves
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Scuba is the natural fit here: a boat-access cave dive with rock, sand, and ledge structure that rewards careful buoyancy and controlled movement.
Freediving
Only for highly disciplined freedivers who stay clear of overhead pockets; most visitors should treat this as a scuba boat dive.
Snorkeling
Not a strong snorkel site; the interesting structure sits below the surface and is better experienced underwater.
The Caves Dive Conditions Planner
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Current Snapshot
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Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
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Exposure Profile at The Caves
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at The Caves
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At The Caves
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
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Dive Spot Log Averages At The Caves
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
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The Caves Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
The Caves Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
thewest.com.au · News
Albany region travel article describing The Caves and its gorgonian growth.
www.divealbany.com.au · Operator
Albany dive store and charter support; lists The Caves among local sites.
www.omninet.net.au · Dive Map
Albany dive map with Michaelmas Island/The Caves placement, easy boat dive, and surge/silt caution.
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