Meet the site
Horseshoe Reef is described by the Leven Scuba Club as definitely the pick of the Devonport dives, with rocky features offshore in 2-18 m and kelp, seastars, nudibranchs, wrasse, magpie perch, morwong, ascidians, bryozoa and cuttlefish. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 6.5 out of 10: a large reef system with two visible islets, Wrights Island and Egg Island, over more than 1 sq km of rocky shallows, with the best diving on the seaward side in 15-18 m. Wrasse, magpie perch, barber perch, whiting, banded morwong and southern hulafish are recorded, with sponges, ascidians, nudibranchs and bryozoa deeper. Local knowledge from Leven Scuba Club members is the best way to get the most out of it, and first-time visitors should ideally dive it with someone who knows the site and the tide.
The central north coast between Wynyard and Port Sorell is the home water of the Leven Scuba Club at Ulverstone, whose site list is the main modern source for it, supplemented by the older Marine Life Network guide. The towns of Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport sit right on the coast, so many sites are within minutes of a ramp or car park, but the reefs are generally low and weedy, visibility is often 5-10 m, and the coast is open to Bass Strait's northerly and westerly weather.
Devonport is the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, which makes these sites the first and last dives for many interstate visitors bringing their own gear. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the north - the nearest is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 3.5 hours' drive - so dive conservatively, especially on the deeper offshore sites.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Horseshoe Reef (Devonport) is recorded as Reef in Tasmania North & North-West. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
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 Horseshoe Reef (Devonport) 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 Horseshoe Reef (Devonport) 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
Wrasse, magpie perch, barber perch, whiting, banded morwong, southern hulafish, cuttlefish, sponges, ascidians, nudibranchs, bryozoans, kelp
Location
A large reef system about 5 km east of Devonport and 1 km offshore, with Wrights and Egg islets and over 1 sq km of rocky shallows; best diving on the seaward side in 15-18 m.
Facilities nearby
Devonport: all services, Spirit of Tasmania terminal, ramps at the Mersey River. Air fills: check locally (no confirmed shop) or Tasmanian Divers, Launceston (1 hr).
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
levenscubaclub.com.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.