Meet the site
Black Head Reef sits off Blackhead Beach, a surf beach a short distance south of Forster proper, and offers a dual-access option not shared by most of the area's other dive sites: a genuine shore-dive possibility from the headland rocks in calm conditions, alongside the more commonly used boat access for a slightly more complete look at the reef in typical depths of six to eighteen metres. This flexibility makes it a useful site for independent divers without a charter booking, or for a quick, low-commitment dive squeezed in around other activities in the Forster area, though as with any ocean-exposed shore entry it demands genuinely calm conditions and some local knowledge of the safest entry and exit points on the rock platform. Marine life reflects the general Forster-area mix of temperate reef fish and invertebrates, without the specific big-drawcard species (grey nurse sharks, resident turtles) more strongly associated with the purpose-named Latitude Rock or Bennetts Head Bommie sites, though sightings of both are certainly possible given the site's proximity to the broader shark and turtle habitat along this stretch of coast. Black Head Reef is best thought of as a solid, flexible option rather than a headline destination — useful precisely because it does not require a boat booking, and a reasonable fallback for days when swell rules out the more exposed offshore pinnacles but a protected pocket of the Blackhead headland remains diveable. Checking recent conditions with Forster Dive Centre before planning a shore attempt here is a sensible precaution given the exposed nature of any ocean rock entry.
What you might see
General Forster-area reef fish, invertebrates, occasional grey nurse sharks and turtles
Location
A reef off Blackhead Beach south of Forster, offering both a boat-accessible reef and, in calm conditions, a shore/rock platform option.
Facilities nearby
Car parking and beach reserve facilities at Blackhead Beach.
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.
Record updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.