Meet the site
Jacko's Cave lies at Leatherjacket Point, just south of the two scuttled tugs off Red Point in Twofold Bay. McFadyen rates it one of the best reef dives he has done anywhere, alongside the Poor Knights, Fish Rock Cave, Stony Creek in Jervis Bay and Burrill Rocks at Ulladulla. A bombora rises from more than 20 m to within 4 m of the surface a few metres off the point. Divers descend beside a vertical wall that drops from 6 m to about 17 m and runs north–south before turning east and then south again.
At the corner, behind some very large boulders, is what looks at first like a big overhang. It is in fact a cave that opens into a huge, low cavern wide enough to hold a couple of large boats. Small overhangs at the front shelter cuttlefish and eastern blue devilfish, and dozens of hermit crabs walk over the sand and rocks. The cave then narrows in height to 1–1.5 m while staying about 4 m wide, runs 20 m to a larger chamber (6 m wide and 2–2.5 m high), and continues very low and dark for about another 10 m before the far exit comes into view. McFadyen warns this is much harder than Fish Rock Cave and not for anyone claustrophobic or large; a better option for most divers is to stay in the lit front section. The Marine Life Network describes a small cave a few metres wide and about 40 m long that requires a torch.
Outside, the walls and boulders are covered in brilliant sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians and lace coral, with nudibranchs, octopus and cuttlefish. Six-spined and black reef leatherjackets swarm around the cave mouth, and a large ray is resident at the far entrance. Depths are 4 m on the reef top, 10–15 m along the tunnel, 17–18 m at the mouth and 22 m on the sand.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Jacko's Cave is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Eden & Green Cape. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- 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 Jacko's Cave suitable for my certification?
The record lists Cave/Cavern certification. 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 Jacko's Cave 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
Cuttlefish, eastern blue devilfish, hermit crabs, sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians, lace coral, nudibranchs, octopus, six-spined leatherjackets, black reef leatherjackets, large stingray
Location
Long, low cave behind a wall at Leatherjacket Point, just south of the Red Point tugs in Twofold Bay; a bombora rises from over 20 m to under 4 m and the cave runs about 40 m under the reef.
Facilities nearby
Quarantine Bay ramp and Snug Cove, Eden; Merimbula Divers Lodge and Dive Eden.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.aumerimbuladiverslodge.com.audiveeden.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.