Meet the site
Bluestone Bay is one of the few places on the ocean side of the Freycinet Peninsula that can be reached by vehicle, although the Marine Life Network guide describes the shore access as difficult and recommends four-wheel drive. There is no proper boat access, which means the bay is rarely visited by divers at all.
The guide rates it 6 out of 10 and describes a thick garden of seaweed down to about 10 m, a rich variety of fish and a relaxing dive. The bay's name comes from the blue-grey dolerite cobbles on its beach, a contrast to the pink and orange granite elsewhere on the peninsula. Under water the reef is a mixture of boulders and weed beds, and typical fish include wrasse, leatherjackets, banded morwong, trumpeter and schools of juvenile fish in the weed.
Bluestone Bay is really a dive for self-sufficient divers who are exploring Freycinet with their own equipment and vehicle and want a quiet shore dive away from the tourist centres. It is not a destination dive, but the setting is spectacular and the chance of seeing another diver is close to nil.
Because the site faces the open sea it is only suitable in settled westerly weather. There is no mobile coverage guarantee in the bay and no facilities, so divers should leave a dive plan with someone in Coles Bay. Snorkellers can explore the shallow weed garden on calm days. Details in the only published source are brief, so expect to explore.
Some context helps set expectations for all Freycinet diving. The peninsula's pink granite continues under water as rounded boulders, cracks and steep faces, and the area sits where the warm East Australian Current meets cooler southern water, so species lists mix typical Tasmanian fish with more northern visitors. Over recent decades warming water and grazing by the long-spined sea urchin, which has spread south from New South Wales, have thinned kelp beds along the east coast, and descriptions written in the 1990s may not match what you find today.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bluestone Bay (Freycinet) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Tasmania East Coast. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Bluestone Bay (Freycinet) 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 Bluestone Bay (Freycinet) 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
Seaweed garden (brown algae), wrasse, leatherjackets, banded morwong, trumpeter, juvenile reef fish, abalone
Location
A remote cobble bay on the ocean side of the Freycinet Peninsula north of Cape Tourville, reached by a rough 4WD track.
Facilities nearby
None at the bay. Coles Bay: boat ramp, toilets, store, cafes, fuel and accommodation. No air fills - bring cylinders from Launceston, Hobart or elsewhere.
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.