Meet the site
Martin Islet, the southernmost of the Five Islands, is the Wollongong dive most people come for in winter, because the island is a haul-out for Australian fur seals. McFadyen counted around 50 on one visit, and between June and October the young animals often come down to play with divers – swooping past, blowing bubbles and nibbling fins – while larger adults patrol above.
The diving is good even without seals. The reef off the island's northern end forms a wall whose top is at 14–15 m and whose base reaches 25–26 m, deepening to about 30 m further north-east. A small gully and channel near the usual anchorage lead out to the wall, and after 8–10 minutes of swimming the wall becomes more prominent as it turns a corner. Its face is covered in sponges, sea squirts and gorgonians that make the site unusually colourful for the Illawarra.
Fish life includes black reef and mosaic leatherjackets, combfish, eastern blue groper, striped seapike, ladder-finned pomfret and swarms of one-spot pullers, with Port Jackson sharks resting on the reef through autumn and winter. The rocks carry a good variety of nudibranchs. Because the best part of the wall is below 20 m, the site suits Advanced divers, and the simple out-and-back route along the wall makes navigation easy. Seal encounters are best enjoyed by staying still near the bottom rather than chasing the animals; they lose interest in divers who pursue them. Treat the haul-out rocks as off-limits – the island is part of the Five Islands Nature Reserve and landing is prohibited.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Martin Island is recorded as Wall in Wollongong & Kiama. 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.
- 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 Martin Island 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 Martin Island 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
Australian fur seals (winter), Port Jackson sharks (autumn–winter), black reef and mosaic leatherjackets, combfish, eastern blue groper, striped seapike, ladder-finned pomfret, one-spot pullers, nudibranchs, sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians
Location
Wall dive off the northern end of Martin Islet, the southernmost of the Five Islands south-east of Port Kembla, known for a winter Australian fur seal haul-out.
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.infoexpeditiondive.com.augooddive.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
