Meet the site
The Drum and Drumsticks is one of the classic Jervis Bay dives, a cluster of rock stacks off the Beecroft Peninsula around 6 km north of the bay entrance. As McFadyen puts it, the largest rock is the Drum and the smaller surrounding rocks are the Drumsticks. Underwater the site is a multilevel rocky reef from 10 m to 30 m with sponge gardens and soft corals on the deeper rock.
On the north side of the Drum a large cave at 14–17 m has several swim-throughs and is locally known as the Lion's Den – operators say lionfish occasionally appear here, though the name is equally apt for the site's other residents. The rocks are home to a colony of Australian fur seals, which are the main attraction for most visitors: young seals in particular will spin around divers, mimic their movements and nibble fins. Blue groper, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, kingfish and silver sweep complete the cast, and grey nurse sharks are sometimes seen in the marine park's sanctuary zones.
A curious feature is the number of old aircraft bombs lying in front of the cave – McFadyen believes they are dummies – left from the decades when the RAAF and RAN used the area for target practice; the adjacent peninsula is still the Beecroft Weapons Range. They should be treated as potentially dangerous and not touched. The site is within a Jervis Bay Marine Park sanctuary zone where special rules apply. With the TSS Wandra just a few metres away, it offers one of the best two-dive combinations on the NSW coast, provided the swell is small enough for the exposed outer peninsula.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Drum and Drumsticks is recorded as Reef in Jervis Bay. The listed access is 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.
- 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Drum and Drumsticks suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Drum and Drumsticks 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
Australian fur seals, blue groper, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, kingfish, silver sweep, lionfish (occasional), grey nurse sharks (occasional), sponges, soft corals, gorgonians
Location
Rock stacks off the Beecroft Peninsula about 6 km north of the Jervis Bay entrance – the large rock is the Drum, the smaller ones the Drumsticks – with a seal colony, a big cave and swim-throughs in 10–30 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Huskisson or Currarong.
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.infodeep6divingjervisbay.com.audpird.nsw.gov.aucurrarong.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.