Meet the site
Bait Grounds is named, straightforwardly, for its role as a reliable spot to find dense baitfish schools off Forster — the kind of site local anglers and divers alike know as a place where pelagic activity concentrates, since predatory fish including kingfish and occasionally sharks follow the bait. As a scuba site, it offers a slightly different focus from the more purely reef- or shark-oriented dives in the Forster rotation, rewarding divers who enjoy watching schooling fish behaviour and the occasional predator strike over a slow macro-focused crawl along the substrate. Detailed published description of the underlying reef topography is limited, suggesting the site's reputation rests more on its fish activity than on any particularly dramatic underwater scenery. Because baitfish activity can be seasonal and weather-dependent, Bait Grounds is likely offered by Forster Dive Centre on an as-conditions-allow basis rather than as a fixed daily site, and visiting divers with a specific interest in schooling fish photography or general pelagic activity should ask specifically about current conditions there. As with the area's other lightly documented reef sites, confidence in the specific depth and marine life details given here is lower than for the region's headline dives, and on-the-ground local knowledge from Forster Dive Centre will give a more accurate and current picture of what to expect. Checking with the dive centre on the day remains the best way to gauge whether conditions favour a visit. Timing a visit around a run of calm, settled days tends to improve the odds of good bait and predator activity.
What you might see
Baitfish schools (species varies seasonally), kingfish, occasional pelagic predators
Location
A reef area off Forster known informally for baitfish schools, part of the local dive centre's site listing.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Record updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.