Meet the site
Blue Devil Cave is one of the named Bass Point sites promoted by the NSW tourism body and Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre, and it has a particular following among macro photographers. Its name comes from the eastern blue devilfish that shelter in the cave and overhangs – a striking, electric-blue-spotted fish that is a signature species of the NSW rocky reef.
The site's real claim to fame is the Sydney pygmy pipehorse, a tiny, well-camouflaged relative of the seahorse that lives among algal turf and was only formally described in 2021. Bass Point is one of the best-known places to see it, and Blue Devil Cave is described as renowned for sightings. Finding one requires patience, excellent buoyancy and usually a guide who knows the individual animals' habitats. Around the cave the usual Bass Point cast is present: weedy sea dragons, giant cuttlefish, blue groper, bull stingrays, and in season grey nurse sharks.
It is best approached as a guided dive rather than an independent exploration, both to find the site and to minimise disturbance to the pipehorses, which are easily damaged by careless finning or over-zealous photography. Divers should avoid touching the substrate and limit strobe use on individual animals. Because it shares the northern side of Bass Point with The Gutter and the Gravel Loader, it benefits from the same shelter from southerly weather, and it can be combined with those sites on a day of shore diving from the reserve.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Blue Devil Cave is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Wollongong & Kiama. The listed access is shore or 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.
- 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 Blue Devil Cave 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 Blue Devil Cave 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
Eastern blue devilfish, Sydney pygmy pipehorse, weedy sea dragons, giant cuttlefish, blue groper, bull stingrays, grey nurse sharks (seasonal), nudibranchs
Location
Small cave/overhang site at Bass Point named for its eastern blue devilfish, renowned for Sydney pygmy pipehorse sightings.
Facilities nearby
Bass Point Reserve: toilets, picnic tables and grassed gear-up areas, no fresh water or barbecues (bring your own); reserve gate may close on total fire ban days. Air fills 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
visitnsw.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
