Meet the site
Lighthouse Wall runs along the seaward face of a small rocky islet directly below Ulladulla Lighthouse on Warden Head, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. It is one of the few regular drift dives on the NSW South Coast. The format is simple: enter at the northern end of the bommie, drop to the sand at about 18 m and let the prevailing southerly current carry you along the base of a wall that rises around 4 m to a top at roughly 14 m. By the time the wall fades into small boulders at the southern end you have covered about 600 m in 40–50 minutes.
The wall is pocked with small cracks and holes that shelter moray eels, and its face carries sea squirts, sponges and gorgonians. The sand at its base is worth watching. McFadyen reports small rays, bull rays and Australian angel sharks, and the local operator promotes shark sightings on this dive. Along the wall there are sergeant bakers, red morwong, nudibranchs and schooling silver sweep, yellowtail, sea pike, leatherjackets and bream. The mix of reef and sand life means a good variety in one dive.
The site is close to the harbour, so it is often dived when the longer run to Burrill Rocks is uncomfortable, provided the swell is not pounding the islet itself. A strong current can take divers deeper than planned, so the dive suits Advanced divers who can control depth and deploy a surface marker. On calm days with no current it can be dived as an out-and-back from the northern end. Water temperature ranges from about 13 °C in late winter to 21 °C in late summer and visibility is usually reasonable.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Lighthouse Wall is recorded as Wall in Ulladulla. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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.
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 Lighthouse Wall 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 Lighthouse Wall 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
Moray eels, small rays, bull rays, Australian angel sharks, sergeant bakers, red morwong, silver sweep, yellowtail, sea pike, leatherjackets, bream, nudibranchs, sea squirts, sponges, gorgonians
Location
Wall on the seaward side of the rocky islet directly below Ulladulla Lighthouse on Warden Head, just south of the harbour; usually dived as a drift south from the northern end.
Facilities nearby
Ulladulla Harbour boat ramp, toilets and parking; air fills at Dive Adventures Ulladulla.
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.infodiveadventuresulladulla.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.