Meet the site
East Cove on Deal Island is rated 7 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide and described as a fairly easy dive from the sheltered anchorage near the camping area. Granite boulder headlands slope quickly to more than 20 m; the rock walls are covered in anemones and sponges, and crevices hold tube worms, cup corals and tunicates, with abalone and crayfish and abundant colourful marine life. The guide notes that current sweeping through Murray Pass affects the edges of the headlands. Because it is close to the anchorage, it is the natural first dive of a Kent Group visit and a good check-out before the wrecks. The Marine Life Network guide's descriptions are the only detailed published account, so expect some changes in the decades since and plan to explore.
The Kent Group is one of the most isolated island groups in Australian waters, protected as the Kent Group National Park on land, with the surrounding waters managed as a marine reserve. It sits in the middle of Bass Strait where warm and cool currents mix, and its granite walls and clear water support rich invertebrate growth rarely seen by divers. The historic Deal Island lighthouse (1848), once the highest in the southern hemisphere, overlooks the anchorages.
With no facilities beyond the caretakers' station and a long passage back to the mainland or Flinders Island, any diving injury is a serious emergency requiring aeromedical evacuation, most likely to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital. Diving here is for experienced, completely self-sufficient expedition divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
East Cove (Deal Island) is recorded as Wall in Kent Group. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). 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.
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 East Cove (Deal Island) 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 East Cove (Deal Island) 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
Anemones, sponges, tube worms, cup corals, tunicates, abalone, crayfish, reef fish
Location
Granite boulder headlands sloping quickly to 20 m-plus at East Cove on Deal Island, with rock walls covered in anemones and sponges.
Facilities nearby
None apart from the Deal Island caretakers' station; no fuel, water or supplies for visitors.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.