Meet the site
Disaster Bay is the broad bay south-west of Green Cape, extending towards Cape Howe and the Victorian border. It fronts Wonboyn Beach and the wilderness of Nadgee Nature Reserve. It was named by early navigators, and the Green Cape wrecks (Ly-ee-Moon, City of Sydney and New Guinea) lie on its northern headland. The NSW Heritage Office's Shipwrecks of Twofold Bay/Disaster Bay (Tim Smith, 1996), cited by McFadyen, covers the maritime history.
The bay's shores are a mix of long sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Reefs off the headlands can be expected to have the cool-water kelp, sponges and fish life typical of the far south coast: blue groper, drummer, luderick, sweep, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong and bastard trumpeter, with fur seals and occasional great white sharks, which are known in these waters. Visibility can be excellent on calm days, and whales pass along the coast in spring.
The bay is only practical for well-equipped divers with a small boat, launching at Wonboyn and timing the bar crossing for a high tide. McFadyen describes this approach as the best way to reach the Green Cape wrecks. Anyone considering it should plan for self-rescue, carry oxygen and a VHF radio, and leave details with someone ashore. Mobile phone coverage is patchy at best along this coast. The bay's name alone is a reminder of how quickly conditions can turn on this stretch of coast. Plan conservatively and turn back early.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Disaster Bay is recorded as Reef in Eden & Green Cape. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 Disaster Bay 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 Disaster Bay 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
Expected: blue groper, drummer, luderick, sweep, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong, bastard trumpeter, kelp, sponges, fur seals
Location
Large open bay between Green Cape and Cape Howe, fronting Wonboyn Beach and Nadgee Nature Reserve; remote reefs dived only from private boats in calm weather.
Facilities nearby
Wonboyn village store, cabins and boat ramp on Wonboyn Lake.
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.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.