Meet the site
Jons Cave is the newest site on Brisbane Scuba's list of Moreton Island dives, described as a recently discovered cave system off the eastern coast of the island. It has multiple entry and exit points, with nice wide openings at at least two of them, but some passages are tight and require careful buoyancy and trim; the operator warns that it is not for divers uncomfortable with squeezes. Part of the system opens into the seafloor, where the cave passes over sedimentary rock beneath the granite, an unusual formation for this coast. The upper level of the reef is covered in kelp gardens, typical of Moreton's eastern side, where cooler upwelling and exposure produce a mix of temperate and subtropical life. Inside the cave, crayfish shelter in the cracks and black corals grow on the walls, a sign of the low light. The surrounding reef shares the character of nearby China Wall and Cherubs Cave: granite outcrops, gutters and kelp, with turtles, wobbegongs and pelagic fish, and grey nurse sharks in the gutters in winter. Depths are not published. Because the site is new, detailed layout information is still limited, and divers should treat the operator's briefing as essential. The minimum requirement set by Brisbane Scuba is Advanced Open Water. For cave-curious divers who have done the Moreton classics, it offers something genuinely different, provided the sea is calm enough to dive the eastern coast. Winter trips to the eastern side also coincide with the humpback whale migration, and whales are frequently seen on the run down the coast.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Jons Cave is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Jons Cave 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 Jons 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
Crayfish, black corals, kelp, wobbegongs, turtles, pelagic fish; grey nurse sharks in winter in the eastern Moreton area
Location
Recently discovered cave system off the exposed eastern coast of Moreton Island, with multiple entries and exits under a kelp-covered reef.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Manly Boat Harbour.
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
brisbanescuba.aubrisbanescuba.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.