Meet the site
Diamond Island sits just off Redbill Beach at the northern end of Bicheno and is joined to the beach by a sandbar that the Marine Life Network guide warns is dangerous to cross. The guide rates the diving 5 out of 10: reef and small boulders at 10-15 m, with many large banded morwong, and a kelp forest on the north-east side.
That kelp forest is a reminder of change on the east coast. The guide notes that the kelp disappeared in the late 1980s during an El Nino event and was expected to return; since then, warming water and urchin grazing have reduced giant kelp across eastern Tasmania, so divers should not expect the dense forest described in older accounts. The small boulders and reef still support banded morwong, wrasse, leatherjackets and crayfish, and the island's little penguins may be seen in the water around dusk.
Diamond Island is not a destination dive, but it is a reasonable alternative when the Governor Island sites are unsuitable, and a way to see a different part of the Bicheno coast. It is dived mainly by locals with their own boats.
Divers should be aware that the island is a nature reserve and landing may be restricted to protect the penguins and other seabirds. Because documentation is limited and the reef condition has changed since the published description, treat the details as a guide. A depth sounder helps locate the best boulder patches on the north-east side, and the skipper should keep watch for rips near the sandbar while divers are down.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Diamond Island (Bicheno) is recorded as Island in Tasmania East Coast. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Diamond Island (Bicheno) 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 Diamond Island (Bicheno) 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
Banded morwong, wrasse, leatherjackets, crayfish, small boulder reef, remnant kelp; little penguins around the island
Location
A small island north of Bicheno connected to Redbill Beach by a sandbar, with reef, small boulders and (historically) a kelp forest on its north-east side.
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.