Meet the site
Big Saigon is one of a pair of excellent wall dives off Cape Baily that were largely ignored for decades. In the past this stretch of coast was avoided because of the outfall from the Cronulla sewage treatment works and discharges from the Kurnell oil refinery; with deep-ocean outfalls and the refinery's closure as a refinery, water quality improved, and McFadyen's club began exploring it. The name comes from its sister site, Little Saigon, about 140 m to the south, which was named after the Vietnamese fishers regularly seen in the area. The main feature is a wall running north–south with its top at about 17 m, dropping to 20 m in spots and then to about 25 m at the base, with deeper steps going past 32 m without reaching the sand edge. The wall is riddled with overhangs, small swim-throughs and arches, including a small archway right beside the usual anchorage. Away from the wall the reef is scattered with boulders, some small and some very large, and gullies formed by big boulders interrupt the wall's line. McFadyen explored about 200 m north with a scooter and found the wall continuing with the same character. The encrusting life is excellent: sponges, sea squirts and small gorgonians cover the wall faces. Fish life is very prolific, with one-spot pullers, silver sweep, small seapike and yellowtail in schools and mosaic and six-spined leatherjackets among the rocks. The site is very close to the Hilda wreck, which lies under 200 m off the lighthouse, and the two can be combined on a day out from Port Hacking. Big Saigon suits experienced Advanced or deep divers, ideally on nitrox, who want a wall dive with prolific life that sees very few other divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Big Saigon (Cape Baily) is recorded as Wall in Sydney South & Botany Bay. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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.
- 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Big Saigon (Cape Baily) 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 Big Saigon (Cape Baily) 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
Sponges, sea squirts, small gorgonians, one-spot puller, silver sweep, seapike, yellowtail, mosaic leatherjacket, six-spined leatherjacket, eastern blue devilfish
Location
North–south wall with overhangs, arches and boulder gullies north-east of Cape Baily Lighthouse, about 140 m north of Little Saigon; reef top 17 m, wall to 25 m, deeper sections past 32 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure only: Botany Bay ramps (Kyeemagh, Foreshore Road, Bonna Point at Kurnell) or Port Hacking ramps (Gunnamatta Bay, Lilli Pilli), with parking and toilets; air/nitrox at Abyss (Ramsgate) and Pro Dive Cronulla.
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.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
