Meet the site
Hepburn Point, also called Black Point, is a shallow boulder reef close to Coles Bay township. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 5 out of 10 and describes a shallow expanse of boulders and rock at about 3 m, safe in sheltered conditions but with poor visibility in strong south-easterly weather.
The boulders provide plenty of crevices for fish and invertebrates. The guide lists sponge growths, starfish and anemones, and fish including long-snouted boarfish, leatherjackets, wrasse and trumpeter. Being inside Great Oyster Bay, the water is often less clear than on the ocean side of the peninsula, but it is also calmer.
The guide's general comment on the Coles Bay area is that the local diving is generally sandy and disappointing, with the best sites found further afield at Schouten Island and on the ocean coast. Hepburn Point is one of the exceptions and a pleasant, easy option when everything else is blown out, or a place to snorkel with family.
It suits new divers and snorkellers. Divers with their own boat can combine it with Picnic Island or use it as a check-out dive before heading to Schouten Island. As with all Freycinet diving, there is no local air, so bring full cylinders.
Some context helps set expectations for all Freycinet diving. The peninsula's pink granite continues under water as rounded boulders, cracks and steep faces, and the area sits where the warm East Australian Current meets cooler southern water, so species lists mix typical Tasmanian fish with more northern visitors. Over recent decades warming water and grazing by the long-spined sea urchin, which has spread south from New South Wales, have thinned kelp beds along the east coast, and descriptions written in the 1990s may not match what you find today.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Hepburn Point (Coles Bay) is recorded as Reef in Tasmania East Coast. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Hepburn Point (Coles Bay) suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Hepburn Point (Coles 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
Sponges, starfish, anemones, long-snouted boarfish, leatherjackets, wrasse, trumpeter
Location
A shallow expanse of boulders and rock at Hepburn (Black) Point near Coles Bay, inside Great Oyster Bay.
Facilities nearby
Coles Bay: boat ramp, toilets, store, cafes, fuel and accommodation. No air fills - bring cylinders from Launceston, Hobart or elsewhere.
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.