Meet the site
Christmas Island, off Mayfield south of Swansea, is rated 6 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide. Its lee side has sheltered shallow reefs, while its seaward side offers more adventurous diving, with depths of 2-12 m and a kelp garden at 6 m.
The guide lists 12 varieties of weed, leatherjackets, wrasse and velvetfish. It is a site for naturalists who enjoy temperate algae and small fish, and for divers staying at the Mayfield Bay campground. The lee side is gentle enough for snorkellers and new divers, while the seaward side is better left for calm days and experienced divers with boat cover.
The western shore of Great Oyster Bay around Swansea is a quiet stretch of coast known more for beaches, vineyards and the convict-built Spiky Bridge than for diving. Water inside the bay is often calmer but less clear than on the ocean coast, and several good sites are reached across private farmland, so local permission is part of the planning.
Practical points apply to all of these shore sites. There is no dive shop, air station or hire between Hobart and Bicheno, so divers bring filled cylinders and all equipment. Mobile coverage is generally good along the highway but patchy at the water's edge, and the nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, one to two hours' drive away, so conservative profiles and oxygen in the car are sensible. Water temperatures range from about 11 °C in winter to 17-18 °C in late summer, so a 7 mm wetsuit with hood or a drysuit is standard year-round.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Christmas Island (Mayfield) is recorded as Island in Tasmania East Coast. The listed access is shore or 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.
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 Christmas Island (Mayfield) 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 Christmas Island (Mayfield) 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
Diverse seaweeds (12 varieties recorded), kelp garden, leatherjackets, wrasse, velvetfish
Location
A small island off Mayfield Bay south of Swansea with sheltered shallow reefs on its lee side and more adventurous diving on its seaward side.
Facilities nearby
Mayfield Bay Conservation Area campground (toilets). Swansea: toilets, cafes, supermarket, fuel, boat ramp and accommodation; nearest air fills in Hobart or Launceston.
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.