Meet the site
The southern side of Bass Point Island is the deeper and more dramatic partner to the northern Lou's Reef site. From the anchorage in about 20 m the reef drops as a steeply sloping series of rocks, broken by large boulders and short vertical walls, to sand at around 28 m; further offshore the bottom continues below 32 m. The standout feature is a very large vertical wall where the base is only about 24 m – a sheer face that is covered in sponges and gorgonians and is the best place for photographs on the dive.
North of the anchorage the reef climbs to 15–20 m and then shallower still towards the island. These upper areas hold huge schools of yellowtail, ladder-finned pomfret and silver drummer, with one-spot pullers, old wife, black and six-spined leatherjackets, big bream and schools of drummer around the rocks. Cuttlefish, moray eels and red rock cod are found in the boulders.
The profile invites a long dive from deep to shallow, but the shallow section needs millpond seas because the southern face of the island takes the full force of any southerly swell. Because much of the interest lies at 24–30 m, this is a site for Advanced divers comfortable with depth, and nitrox is useful. The combination of colourful fixed growth, a real wall and heavy fish life makes it one of the better deep dives close to Sydney, and it pairs naturally with the island's northern side or the nearby bommie for the second dive.
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 Island South is recorded as Wall in Wollongong & Kiama. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Island South suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Island South 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
Yellowtail, ladder-finned pomfret, silver drummer, one-spot pullers, old wife, black and six-spined leatherjackets, bream, drummer, cuttlefish, moray eels, red rock cod, sponges, gorgonians
Location
Steep boulder slope and big vertical wall off the southern side of Bass Point Island, with sand at 28 m dropping beyond 32 m further out.
Facilities nearby
Shellharbour Marina: modern boat ramp, trailer parking, toilets, cafés. Air and nitrox at Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre (Shellharbour Village).
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.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
