Meet the site
The Kiama Gutter is a neat one-way shore dive around Blowhole Point, beginning beside the ocean pool and ending inside Kiama Harbour – so the finish is sheltered even if the entry needs calm conditions. It is documented on McFadyen's site as Kiama Point.
The dive starts in a pebble-floored gutter about 5 m deep. After around 20 m of swimming the bottom slopes to 8 m and then drops over a wall to 11 m. Beyond the wall is a landscape of valleys and ridges of pink and white rock separated by sand patches, with relatively little growth compared with the sponge-covered reefs at Bass Point. Continuing north, divers reach the sand edge at about 16.5 m, where kelp grows along the reef margin, after 14–15 minutes. The return route follows the indentations of the reef south-west towards the harbour and exits through a small bay with a pebbly bottom.
Life includes bull rays on the sand, Port Jackson and crested horn sharks in the rock valleys, moray eels, schools of mado and sea stars. McFadyen reported visibility of over 20 m on his dive, which is achievable in winter westerly weather. The route is straightforward if divers stay close to the wall and reef, and it provides a pleasant alternative to the more exposed Afghan Reef on the other side of the point. Keep clear of boats using the harbour on the final leg, and be careful on the large pebbles at the exit. Blowhole Point's facilities make it an easy base for a day of shore diving.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Kiama Gutter is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Wollongong & Kiama. The listed access is shore. 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 Kiama Gutter 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 Kiama Gutter 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
Bull rays, Port Jackson sharks, crested horn sharks, moray eels, mado, sea stars, kelp
Location
Shore dive from beside the ocean pool at Blowhole Point, Kiama; a pebble gutter leads over a wall to rock valleys and a sand edge at about 16.5 m, finishing in Kiama Harbour.
Facilities nearby
Blowhole Point car parks, toilets beside the ocean pool, cafés in Kiama town centre; nearest air fills at Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre (20 minutes).
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.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
