Meet the site
Gabo Island is the granite island off Cape Howe at the very eastern end of Victoria, 14 km from Mallacoota, crowned by the 47 m pink-granite lighthouse of 1862 – the second tallest in Australia – and home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world. It is the only offshore island in East Gippsland that a diver can reasonably reach, via the Mallacoota charter boats that run lighthouse and wildlife trips, and Santa Barbara Bay on its north-western side – the island's only sandy beach, with a jetty – is described by Visit Mallacoota as the best shallow spot, suitable for all skill levels. The bay is a natural harbour of granite arms enclosing sand and seagrass, and the diving is along those arms: boulders and ledges under bull kelp and mixed algae in 3–20 m, with sponge, ascidian and bryozoan patches in the shade, abalone and sea urchins on every surface (this is abalone country), crayfish in the ledges and a fish community that marks the meeting of Victorian and NSW faunas – banded morwong, blue groper, wrasses of several species, sweep, luderick, drummer, leatherjackets and, in warm summers, tropical strays carried down on the East Australian Current. Dolphins and stingrays are regulars at the jetty, fur seals haul out near it, and the penguins come and go at dawn and dusk. The island's outer coasts, facing the Tasman, are steep granite dropping to deeper water with richer sponge cover, and the wreck of the SS Monumental City (1853) lies off Tullaberga Island to the west; both are calm-day, experienced-diver propositions. East of the island the Cape Howe Marine National Park is no-take; Gabo itself is outside it. Everything about Gabo is self-organised – the charters carry divers but do not guide, there is no air in Mallacoota, and the weather decides the day – but the reward is a clear-water granite island with a lighthouse, penguins, seals and warm-temperate fish that almost no Victorian divers have visited. Lighthouse-keeper's cottage accommodation is bookable through Parks Victoria for those who want to stay and snorkel the bay at leisure.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Gabo Island (Santa Barbara Bay) is recorded as Island in East Gippsland. 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.
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 Gabo Island (Santa Barbara Bay) 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 Gabo Island (Santa Barbara Bay) 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
Blue groper, banded morwong, wrasses, sweep, luderick, drummer, leatherjackets, abalone, sea urchins, southern rock lobster, stingrays, dolphins, Australian fur seals, little penguins, sponges and ascidians, bull kelp, tropical strays in summer
Location
Granite island 14 km south-east of Mallacoota near the NSW border, with the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia; the sheltered Santa Barbara Bay on its north-western side has the island's only beach and jetty.
Facilities nearby
Santa Barbara Bay jetty and beach; lighthouse-keeper's cottage accommodation (Parks Victoria, bookings 03 5158 0255); no store, water limited; Mallacoota for all supplies; no air fills
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
visitmallacoota.com.auvisitmallacoota.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.