Meet the site
The Bass Point Gravel Loader is a long jetty built to load crushed rock from the Bass Point quarry onto ships. It extends about 150 m from the northern shore of the point on steel-reinforced concrete pylons, and although it still stands above water it appears to have been out of use for many years. Underwater the pylons, girders and fallen, twisted steel create an artificial reef in 2–12 m, with most of the diving at 4–5 m – ideal for long, shallow dives and night dives. A memorial plaque to a diver is fixed to the structure.
Since December 2016 the loader has become famous for grey nurse sharks. A group of mostly female and juvenile male sharks has taken up residence around the end of the structure, and McFadyen suggests the site functions as a nursery. Seeing a critically endangered shark this reliably from a shallow, protected shore dive is unusual anywhere in Australia, and the site now draws divers from Sydney most weekends. Divers must follow the grey nurse shark code: stay low, do not block their path, do not touch or feed them.
The structure also supports a rich community of smaller life. Red morwong, striped seapike, leatherjackets and bream swarm around the pylons, giant cuttlefish and squid are common, and the weed and debris hide nudibranchs and pipefish. Blue groper are frequent visitors. Because it is protected from southerly weather and so shallow, the loader is an excellent second dive after the deeper Gutter or a boat dive, and one of the best night dives on the NSW coast.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bass Point Gravel Loader is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Wollongong & Kiama. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Bass Point Gravel Loader suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Bass Point Gravel Loader through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Grey nurse sharks (resident since 2016), giant cuttlefish, squid, blue groper, red morwong, striped seapike, leatherjackets, bream, nudibranchs, pipefish, sponges
Location
Disused 150 m quarry gravel loader jetty extending from the northern shore of Bass Point; concrete pylons, girders and twisted steel in 2–12 m, with resident grey nurse sharks since 2016.
Facilities nearby
Bass Point Reserve: toilets, picnic tables and grassed gear-up areas, no fresh water or barbecues (bring your own); reserve gate may close on total fire ban days. Air fills at Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre (Shellharbour Village). Old boat ramp gives an easy entry.
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.
Sources & further reading
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infoshellharbourscuba.com.auvisitnsw.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
