Meet the site
Bastion Point is the rocky headland at the southern side of the Mallacoota Inlet entrance, the site of the town's ocean boat ramp and breakwater and the northern end of the wild stretch of coast that runs south past Secret Beach, Quarry Beach and Betka to Shipwreck Creek and the Croajingolong wilderness. Visit Mallacoota lists shore-based diving from Bastion Point to Shipwreck Creek with a wide range of marine life within earshot of the car park, and the point is the most accessible of it. The reef is granite and metamorphic rock running out from the platform in 2–12 m, kelp-covered on top and undercut along the gutters, and the marine life is East Gippsland's transitional mix: morwong, parrotfish (blue-throat and other wrasses), sea sweep, luderick and drummer over the reef; abalone, sea urchins and crayfish in the crevices – this is one of Australia's most productive abalone and urchin coasts, and the 15 abalone and 8 urchin licence-holders based in the town work these reefs; seahorses and pipefish in the weed; mussels and oysters on the platform; and rays and flathead on the sand. Little penguins, dolphins and seals from Gabo Island are regular in the water off the point and whales pass close between May and November. Warm East Australian Current water reaches here in late summer, bringing clear water and the odd tropical stray. Bastion Point is the only place in Mallacoota where a diver can park, gear up with toilets nearby and walk into a reef, and it is where locals snorkel; south of it the beaches need longer walks and more swell judgement. There is no dive shop, no air and no guided diving in the town, so the site suits self-sufficient divers passing through on the Princes Highway or staying for the fishing and the inlet, and it is the natural shore dive to pair with a charter run to Gabo Island. Recreational take limits apply (5 abalone, 40 urchins per day); Cape Howe Marine National Park lies further east beyond Gabo.
What you might see
Morwong, blue-throat and other wrasses, sea sweep, luderick, drummer, abalone, sea urchins, southern rock lobster, seahorses and pipefish, mussels and oysters, rays, flathead, little penguins, dolphins, fur seals, whales offshore in season
Location
Rocky point and reef immediately south of the Mallacoota Inlet entrance, beside the Bastion Point ocean boat ramp and breakwater, at the northern end of the coast running south to Shipwreck Creek.
Facilities nearby
Bastion Point car park, toilets, ocean boat ramp and breakwater; Mallacoota town 2 km with shops, fuel, caravan park; no air fills
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
visitmallacoota.com.auvisitmallacoota.com.auscubaboard.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.