Meet the site
Blue Devil Reef was discovered in mid-February 2009 when McFadyen was trying to relocate a different site and found this reef instead. It lies about a kilometre just south of east from the Port Hacking entrance, close to the Jibbon reef complex. Running in from the north, the sandy bottom at about 25 m rises to reef at 20 m and then 17 m. The reef is oriented east–west. Its southern section has a small wall that curves around to the east, with small overhangs, and it links via the wall to a higher section of reef. Along the sand edge to the east, after 30–40 m, is a higher section of wall that carries a lot of sponges and sea squirts, with small overhangs and gaps between small rocks. The name comes from the eastern blue devilfish living in the overhangs, one of the most attractive fish on Sydney reefs, and the gaps shelter a variety of other reef fish. Typical Port Hacking offshore species – one-spot pullers, silver sweep, yellowtail, leatherjackets and red morwong – are likely to be seen over the reef. The layout is simple: follow the wall north for about 50 m until it fades, or go east along the sand to the higher wall. Bottom time is 25–30 minutes depending on how long divers stay deep. Like the other reefs outside Port Hacking, it has no charter service and is dived by private boats and the St George Scuba Club. It suits Advanced divers wanting a straightforward reef dive close to the ramps and is a good alternative when the fast-food reefs are occupied.
What you might see
Eastern blue devilfish, sponges, sea squirts, one-spot puller, silver sweep, yellowtail, leatherjackets, red morwong
Location
East–west reef about 1 km just south of east from the Port Hacking entrance, with a small curving wall and overhangs; sand at 25 m, reef 17–20 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure only: Port Hacking ramps – Tonkin Park/Gunnamatta Bay (Cronulla), Lilli Pilli, Bundeena – with parking and toilets; air/nitrox at Pro Dive Cronulla and Abyss (Ramsgate).
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.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.