Meet the site
The Football Field is one of the deepest and least-dived reef sites in King George Sound. It lies about a kilometre east of Michaelmas Island, where the sea floor falls away through a landscape of canyons and huge bommies from about 16 m on the top to levels of 60-66 m on the southern side. Marine Life Network's site list describes the bommies as covered in masses of sponge growth, huge gorgonians and black coral, with fish that are large and numerous – a sign of how rarely it is visited.
The name suggests a flat, open expanse on top, which gives way to vertical relief as the reef drops toward the south. On the deeper parts the sponges and fans become larger and more intact than on the popular sites, and big blue groper, queen snapper, samson fish and kingfish patrol the canyon edges. The sheer scale of the bommies and the colour of the sponge life at depth are the attraction.
The site is explicitly for experienced air divers and technical divers. Recreational divers can make a worthwhile dive on the top and upper canyons within 30 m, but the deeper terrain requires decompression planning, appropriate gas and a boat team ready to track divers in current. There is no mooring, no shelter from easterlies and no quick shore exit. For suitably qualified divers it offers something rarely found in a sound otherwise known for sheltered, moderate-depth dives: a deep, pristine temperate reef within 20 minutes of a boat ramp.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Football Field (King George Sound) is recorded as Reef in Albany & Great Southern. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- 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 Football Field (King George Sound) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 Football Field (King George Sound) 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
Massive sponges, huge gorgonians, black coral, blue groper, queen snapper, samson fish, yellowtail kingfish, harlequin fish, boarfish, schooling pelagics
Location
Deep canyon-and-bommie reef about 1 km east of Michaelmas Island, from 16 m on top to over 60 m on its southern side.
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.
