Meet the site
Colorado Pass is Fish Rock's dedicated current dive — a drift through a set of rock gutters and canyons on the north-eastern flank of the island, between the main rock and The Pinnacle, that only really works when the site's usual north-setting current has eased to a gentle push rather than its more typical strong flow. Divers enter near the Pinnacle mooring, drop to the sandy floor at around 30 metres and let the current carry them south through the pass, past large boulders that offer patches of shelter and black coral trees marking the swifter corners, before the reef edge drops away beyond 37 metres. The boat tracks the group's bubbles from the surface and the dive typically runs 15 to 25 minutes before divers reach the ridge that marks the turn-off toward the cave's deep entrance, where the group can either surface as a drift pick-up or work into the lee of the rock to finish the dive on shallower ground. Because the current here is unpredictable and often too strong to dive safely — by local estimate it is only manageable around a fifth of the time — Colorado Pass is not a default stop on every Fish Rock trip; skippers assess it on the day and it is usually saved for divers who specifically want a fast, adrenaline drift rather than a leisurely reef look. When conditions align, though, it delivers exactly what the name promises: schools of luderick, silver sweep and silver drummer streaming past in the current, grey nurse sharks using the gutters as a thoroughfare rather than a resting spot, and the sensation of flying along a canyon wall rather than swimming it. This is a dive for experienced, current-savvy divers with good buoyancy and a group used to drift procedures, not a site to attempt on a first Fish Rock outing or without a briefed pick-up plan, since being swept past the island into open water is a real possibility if the current is stronger than expected.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Fish Rock – Colorado Pass is recorded as Drift in South West Rocks. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Fish Rock – Colorado Pass suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Fish Rock – Colorado Pass 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
Grey nurse sharks (transiting), schools of luderick, silver sweep, silver drummer, black coral trees, occasional pelagics
Location
A drift dive through rock gutters and canyons on the north-eastern side of Fish Rock, between the main island and The Pinnacle, running south into the Shark Gutters area.
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.infofishrock.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.