Meet the site
The Bubble Cave is a popular Black Rock dive because of its air pocket. Exhaled bubbles from divers collect in the roof of a cave at about 13 m, and a group of three or four divers can put their heads into the air space. The Marine Life Network places it on the north-western corner of Black Rock, close to the boat ramp. McFadyen describes a route that takes in several features: descend to a wall, follow it to the left to a ridge that can be passed over or around, then cross sand and rubble into an amphitheatre-like formation at about 15 m where the cave opens.
Beyond the cave, a sandy gutter runs almost north–south for 30–40 m and reaches 21 m at its southern end, where a second cave runs right back into Black Rock. The return leg crosses sand and rubble and another ridge. The rock is covered in sponges, sea squirts, yellow zoanthids and gorgonians, and McFadyen notes good fish life, with blue groper, silver sweep, yellowtail, eastern blue devilfish and wobbegongs among the regulars.
The air in the pocket is exhaled gas and may be low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide, so keep your regulator in. The dive suits Open Water divers who are comfortable in an overhead environment with an easy exit. Several other NSW sites share the name, including one at Montague Island, so specify Black Rock when booking. The sandy gutter is also a good place to look for rays and flathead on the way back to the boat.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bubble Cave (Black Rock) is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Batemans Bay. The listed access is 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- 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 Bubble Cave (Black Rock) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Bubble Cave (Black Rock) 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
Blue groper, silver sweep, yellowtail, eastern blue devilfish, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, cuttlefish, sponges, sea squirts, yellow zoanthids, gorgonians
Location
Cave with an air pocket at about 13 m on the north-western corner of Black Rock, off Lilli Pilli in Batemans Bay; sandy amphitheatre and gutters 9–21 m.
Facilities nearby
Mosquito Bay (Lilli Pilli) and Hanging Rock boat ramps; air and nitrox at Beneath the Bay.
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.infomarinelife.org.aubeneaththebay.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.