Meet the site
Don Heads is a volcanic headland at the site of the old Don River port, and the historic port buildings can be seen on the road in. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 5 out of 10 as pleasant and easy: a quick drop to 5 m of rock, then offshore reefs parallel to the cliffs in 6-9 m, with bullseyes, southern hulafish, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie perch and occasional cuttlefish, and lace bryozoans, sea fans and thick red algae on the deeper reefs. It suggests it as a night dive. The Leven Scuba Club calls it another easy long dive, in the same vein as Mersey Bluff. Local knowledge from Leven Scuba Club members is the best way to get the most out of it, and first-time visitors should ideally dive it with someone who knows the site and the tide.
The central north coast between Wynyard and Port Sorell is the home water of the Leven Scuba Club at Ulverstone, whose site list is the main modern source for it, supplemented by the older Marine Life Network guide. The towns of Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport sit right on the coast, so many sites are within minutes of a ramp or car park, but the reefs are generally low and weedy, visibility is often 5-10 m, and the coast is open to Bass Strait's northerly and westerly weather.
Devonport is the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, which makes these sites the first and last dives for many interstate visitors bringing their own gear. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the north - the nearest is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 3.5 hours' drive - so dive conservatively, especially on the deeper offshore sites.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Don Heads is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Tasmania North & North-West. 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 Don Heads 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 Don Heads 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
Bullseyes, southern hulafish, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie perch, cuttlefish, lace bryozoans, sea fans, red algae
Location
A volcanic headland at the site of the historic Don River port, west of Devonport, with a quick drop to 5 m and offshore reefs parallel to the cliffs in 6-9 m.
Facilities nearby
Devonport: all services, Spirit of Tasmania terminal, ramps at the Mersey River. Air fills: check locally (no confirmed shop) or Tasmanian Divers, Launceston (1 hr).
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
levenscubaclub.com.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.