Meet the site
Koonya Inlet, south of Temma, is rated 6.5 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide as a sheltered shore dive with a patchy sand and rocky reef base that deepens towards the inlet mouth (about 10 m), where a weed garden holds interesting marine life. The shallows from 2 m suit beginners, numerous large abalone and crayfish in rock cracks are recorded, and the deeper reefs to 25 m are highly exposed, smooth-sided and swept clean, needing experienced divers with reserve air and good navigation. Access by four-wheel drive from Temma makes it a camping-trip destination. The Marine Life Network guide also describes the nearby wrecks of the SS Yolla (1898) and the SS Koonya (1919) near Sandy Cape, the latter a category-5 site it does not recommend.
Tasmania's west coast faces the full Southern Ocean, and the Marine Life Network guide notes that most of it is diveable only after easterly winds have flattened the swell - an uncommon event largely confined to summer. Macquarie Harbour and Cape Sorell provide the only reliable shelter from south-westerly swell. Crayfish grow large here, abalone are common and fish life is thin on exposed reefs, which are battered by constant swell.
There is no dive shop, air station or chamber anywhere on the west coast; the nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 4 hours from Strahan by road. Every west coast dive should be treated as remote: carry oxygen, a radio and an EPIRB, and have a realistic evacuation plan.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Koonya Inlet (Temma) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Tasmania West Coast. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 Koonya Inlet (Temma) 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 Koonya Inlet (Temma) 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
Large abalone, crayfish, weed garden, reef fish
Location
A sheltered inlet south of Temma on the northern west coast, reached by four-wheel drive, with patchy sand and reef deepening to a weed garden at the mouth.
Facilities nearby
None - remote bush camping; Arthur River for limited supplies.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.