Meet the site
Skeleton Rock, a granite formation said to resemble a skull, sits in Skeleton Bay at the southern end of the Bay of Fires near Binalong Bay. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 7 out of 10 - one of the better shore dives in the north-east - with swim-throughs, butterfly perch, Australian salmon and large banded morwong in 6-15 m.
The bay is scenic and sheltered, but the guide notes difficult shore access by a steep 200 m track and a boat traffic hazard, since the bay is popular with fishing boats launching at Binalong Bay. Snorkellers can enjoy the shallows on calm days, and the orange-lichen granite above and below the water makes it a very photogenic site.
It suits fit Open Water divers with their own equipment.
The north-east coast from St Helens to the Bay of Fires is built of the same orange-lichen granite as Freycinet, and under water it forms rounded boulders, cracks and swim-throughs. The regional guide notes damage from the long-spined black sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) on several sites; this urchin has spread south with the warming East Australian Current and grazes kelp and weed down to bare 'barrens', so expect patches of bare rock among the weed.
The north-east sees far fewer divers than Bicheno or the Tasman Peninsula. There is no regular charter boat, so most diving is done by Launceston club members and visitors towing their own boats, and conditions are checked on the morning rather than booked in advance. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, more than three hours' drive away; Launceston General Hospital has no chamber, so evacuation planning and oxygen on board matter here.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Binalong Bay / Skeleton Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Tasmania North-East. 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.
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 Binalong Bay / Skeleton Bay 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 Binalong Bay / Skeleton Bay 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
Butterfly perch, Australian salmon, banded morwong (large), wrasse, leatherjackets, sponges
Location
A skull-shaped granite formation (Skeleton Rock) in Skeleton Bay at the southern end of the Bay of Fires near Binalong Bay, reached by a steep track.
Facilities nearby
Roadside parking. Binalong Bay: toilets, cafe, ramp. St Helens: boat ramps, toilets, supermarket, cafes, fuel and accommodation. Binalong Bay: ramp, toilets, cafe. Air fills unconfirmed locally - nearest reliable fills in Launceston.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.