Meet the site
Butts Reef sits in the middle of the Huon River mouth, south of Charlotte Cove, marked by two poles. The Marine Life Network guide describes a reef top about the size of a football field, a flat weed garden with a few small bommies, and sharp drops on the western and southern sides, in 8-15 m. It lists crayweed, strapweed and delicate brown algae, and suggests the site is good for practising boat-handling skills, presumably because of the markers and the need to anchor carefully off the reef. The drop-offs are the most interesting part: the faces shelter fish and invertebrates, and in the dim, tannin-stained Huon water sponges and other filter feeders may grow at shallower depths than usual, as at Ninepin Point. Wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong and other reef fish frequent the edges, and rock lobster may be found under ledges. The weed garden on top provides habitat for small fish, weedy seadragons and invertebrates. Visibility is usually modest and falls after rain. It is a quiet, rarely visited reef suited to divers with a small boat in the Huon area, and it can be combined with Charlotte Cove or Ninepin Point. Carry a torch and a compass, and avoid anchoring on the reef. The Huon mouth also carries salmon and mussel aquaculture, so check charts and keep clear of leases and their moorings. The tannin layer makes the reef top noticeably darker than surface light suggests, so make sure every diver has a torch and stays close to a buddy.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Butts Reef is recorded as Reef in Huon & Far South. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Butts Reef 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 Butts Reef 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
Crayweed, strapweed, delicate brown algae, sponges, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong, rock lobster, weedy seadragons
Location
Football-field-sized reef in the middle of the Huon River mouth south of Charlotte Cove, marked by two poles, with a flat weed garden on top and sharp drops on its western and southern sides.
Facilities nearby
Small ramps at Charlotte Cove, Cygnet and Verona Sands; fills in Kingston or Hobart.
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.