Meet the site
Hobart's wharves at Sullivans Cove have been the heart of the port since the colony's earliest days, and the muddy seabed beneath them is littered with two centuries of dropped and discarded objects. The Marine Life Network guide describes depths of 6-12 m, a muddy bottom 'well flushed by the ocean tides', and marine life including school fish, sea stars and seahorses, along with the invasive Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis), which arrived in ballast water and is now abundant in the Derwent. The attraction for most who dive here is historical: bottles, ceramics and other artefacts from the port's long history lie in the mud, although these are protected and should not be removed. The wharf pylons are encrusted with invertebrates and provide shelter for fish and seahorses. The practical obstacles are considerable. TasPorts permission is required; the port is busy with fishing boats, ferries, cruise ships and Antarctic vessels; and entry and exit are by wharf ladders, best at high tide with assistance. Visibility is usually very low. For these reasons the wharves are dived rarely and only by authorised groups. It is included here for completeness and history rather than as a recommended recreational dive; those interested should approach local clubs, which occasionally organise authorised dives, and contact TasPorts well in advance. The Maritime Museum of Tasmania, a short walk away, holds many objects recovered from Hobart's waters. Anyone who does obtain permission should plan the dive around the tide and vessel schedule, use a surface marker and attendant, and treat every object on the bottom as protected heritage material.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Hobart Wharves is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Hobart & Derwent. The listed access is shore or 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Hobart Wharves 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 Hobart Wharves 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
Seahorses, schooling fish, sea stars, Northern Pacific seastar (invasive), encrusting invertebrates on pylons
Location
The working and historic wharves of Sullivans Cove in central Hobart, where a muddy bottom in 6-12 m is littered with artefacts.
Facilities nearby
City parking, toilets, cafes; dive shops in Hobart.
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.