Cathedral Cave

Meet the site

Cathedral Cave is one of the most impressive caverns in Jervis Bay – a huge sea cave in the outer cliffs of the Beecroft Peninsula, a little over 5 km north of Point Perpendicular. The entrance lies in a large gap between a prominent rock and the cliff face, at about 12 m, and the floor inside drops to about 18 m. McFadyen estimates the cave at roughly 100 m long, 20 m wide and 10 m high, with a dog-leg to the left extending about another 20 m into total darkness.

The name comes from an air pocket above the water inside, where divers can surface into a vaulted chamber – the 'cathedral'. Visibility inside is typically 20–25 m because the cave is flushed by clear ocean water, and torch beams pick out sponges and encrusting life on the walls. Wobbegong sharks rest on the floor, and in late winter Port Jackson sharks shelter in the cave in numbers. Outside, the wall and boulders to 23 m offer a second phase of the dive with typical Beecroft reef fish.

This is a dive for experienced divers: most of the cave is in darkness beyond the entrance zone, surge can be felt in any swell, and the air pocket should be treated with caution (air may be stale; keep regulators in). A primary and backup torch are essential, and a guideline is sensible for anyone venturing into the dog-leg. On a calm winter day with clear water it is one of the signature experiences of Jervis Bay diving, and it can be combined with Crocodile Head or The Caves, which lie a short distance to the south.

What you might see

Wobbegong sharks, Port Jackson sharks (late winter), sponges, bullseyes, eastern blue devilfish, yellowtail, leatherjackets

Location

Large sea cave about 100 m long, 20 m wide and 10 m high with an air pocket, a little over 5 km north of Point Perpendicular on the outer Beecroft Peninsula.

Facilities nearby

Departure from Huskisson: Dive Jervis Bay shop (air, nitrox, hire), cafés, parking; Huskisson and Callala ramps.