Diving in Cape Howe
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Cape Howe's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Cape Howe, ecoregion. This region features 13 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Cape Howe has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Cape Howe (1)
Popular Spots in Cape Howe (13)
3rd Gutter
3rd Gutter is a dive site suitable for divers of all experience levels, featuring depths ranging from 18 to 22 meters. The area is characterized by abundant vegetation, providing habitat for a variety of marine life. Notable species include Nudibranchs, Gorgonians, Sydney Pygmy Pipe Horses, and Weedy Sea Dragons, along with various other fish species. The site is accessed via shore entry.
Blue Devil Cave
Blue Devil Cave is located on the NSW south coast and is accessible via a shore entry at The Gutter. Divers can explore a small cave at a maximum depth of 22 meters, with a short swim required to reach the cave. The site is home to various marine species, including Blue Devil Fish, Sydney Pygmy Pipehorses, Frog Fish, Nudibranchs, Cuttlefish, and Weedy Sea Dragons, among others. This dive offers ample opportunity to observe marine life both on the way to and from the cave.
Bushrangers Bay
Bushrangers Bay is accessible from the westernmost car park, featuring a timber staircase that leads down to a rocky beach entry point. It is advisable to wear appropriate footwear due to the rocky terrain. The site is a marine protected area, which prohibits the collection of marine life. Year-round, divers can observe a resident population of grey nurse sharks, with their numbers increasing during the summer months. In the shallower areas, stingrays can be spotted, while Port Jackson sharks are typically found in deeper waters.
Gravel Loader
Gravel Loader offers a productive dive along the jetty and around its end. Divers may encounter grey nurse sharks during the summer months, as this area serves as their habitat. Additionally, banded coral shrimp can be found within a cut-off pylon, while lionfish are also present in the summer. It is advisable to look upwards while diving, as kingfish and old wives are often seen around the pylons.
Guerrilla Bay
Guerrilla Bay features two distinct dive areas. The northern section, known as The Pot, is recommended for advanced divers under suitable conditions. The southern area, referred to as The Beach, presents a rocky landscape with a flat reef that inclines at approximately 35 degrees, leading to vertical walls that reach depths of up to 10 meters. The underwater environment is characterized by seaweed-covered rocks and various crevices, providing habitats for diverse marine life including blue groper, wrasse, luderick, octopus, and stingrays.
Hauler Wreck
The Hauler Wreck is a tugboat that was intentionally sunk in 1979 to create a dive site. This site is accessible only by boat and is subject to exposure from easterly and northerly weather conditions. Divers should possess advanced training or be certified for deep dives up to 30 meters. The wreck serves as a habitat for a diverse range of fish, with kingfish often seen schooling around it. During the whale migration season, divers may hear the songs of whales while exploring the site.
Hole in the Wall
Hole in the Wall is characterized by a gap in the reef structure, open to the sky. This dive site is accessible only during calm weather conditions due to potential surge during entry and exit. The space within the hole accommodates 3 to 4 divers at a time. Marine life includes various nudibranch species, with the notable presence of blue sea spiders often found among the growth inside the hole.
Lou’s Reef
Lou's Reef is accessible from the shore, allowing divers and experienced snorkelers to reach the site directly. The reef is known for its diverse marine life, including large sponges, gorgonians, sea spiders, and various fish species. The presence of currents can enhance the abundance of fish, making it a lively spot for underwater observation. Additionally, sea tulips and other unique marine organisms contribute to the rich biodiversity found here.
Merimbula Wharf
Merimbula Wharf is a shore dive site located on the southern side of the headland, with a maximum depth of 16 meters. The site faces south and is best dived when there are minimal swells or when the wind is coming from the north. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life including soft corals, sponges, Gropers, Rays, Octopus, and Nudibranchs, typical of the southern Australian rocky reef ecosystem.
Navy Warf
Navy Warf offers a straightforward shore entry for divers. The primary focus of the dive is the exploration of the concrete pylons located beneath the wharf. The sandy bottom features patches of seaweed to the west of the structure. Common marine life includes Banjo sharks and Stingrays, with opportunities to spot octopus and Weedy Sea Dragons around the pylons. Additionally, Sea Pens can be observed at the deeper end of the warf.
Shark Bay
Shark Bay is characterized by a permanent sandbar that links Broulee Island to the mainland. The bay features predominantly shallow waters, ranging from 3 to 4 meters in depth, with seagrass beds present on the sandy bottom and rocky areas surrounding the bay. During calm weather, snorkelers can observe a variety of marine life, including Banjo Sharks, which are notable inhabitants of this area.
The Arch
The Arch is located on the southern side of Bass Point, with depths reaching approximately 28 meters. Divers can access this site from the shore by swimming around from Bushrangers Bay. The site features a swim-through that measures between 3 to 4 meters in height, which may vary due to sand movement. Occasionally, divers may encounter Grey Nurse Sharks, along with sightings of Slipper Lobsters.
The Gutter
The Gutter serves as a shore entry point for divers at Bass Point. Upon entering the water, divers will find a depth of approximately 4 meters. Swimming north leads to a notable rock formation at around 10 meters, which provides access to various dive spots or allows for exploration within The Gutter itself. The site is rich in marine biodiversity, featuring species such as Bubble Shells, Nudibranchs, Grouper, Frog Fish, Cuttlefish, Squid, and occasional sightings of Grey Nurse Sharks.