Meet the site
Isle du Nord is a small island near the Darlington jetty, marked by a navigation light. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 6 out of 10: 6-12 m, a Macrocystis giant kelp garden, crayfish and the fish attracted to kelp. It adds that the kelp had recently disappeared because of warmer conditions.
That loss of giant kelp has continued across eastern Tasmania, where more than 90% of the original forests are estimated to have gone. Divers should therefore expect a rocky reef with smaller brown algae rather than the canopy described in older accounts. Inside the reserve, crayfish remain abundant.
Isle du Nord suits new divers and is a convenient dive for groups staying at Darlington with a small boat or kayaks. It also works as a sheltered alternative when north-easterly weather affects the Fossil Cliffs and the north-east corner of the island.
Maria Island is a national park with no permanent residents apart from rangers, and the Darlington settlement preserves convict-era buildings from 1825 onwards. The marine reserve along the island's northern and western shores has been no-take since 1991 and has been used for long-term studies of how protection affects rock lobster and fish numbers, so reef life inside it is noticeably richer than outside.
Maria Island's boat sites are rarely visited because there is no operator on the island and the eastern coast is a long way from the Triabunna ramp. Visitors with their own boats should carry oxygen and a radio, check the forecast for Mercury Passage as well as the open coast, and remember that the Royal Hobart Hospital chamber is roughly two hours away by road once back at Triabunna.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Isle du Nord (Maria Island) is recorded as Island 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.
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 Isle du Nord (Maria Island) 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 Isle du Nord (Maria Island) 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
Crayfish, remnant kelp, wrasse, leatherjackets, banded morwong
Location
A small island marked by a navigation light near the Darlington jetty on northern Maria Island, formerly with a Macrocystis kelp garden.
Facilities nearby
Darlington: toilets, showers at the Penitentiary accommodation, campground, ranger station, no shop or air fills. Triabunna: ramp, fuel, supermarket, cafes. Nearest air fills 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.