Meet the site
Mermaid Reef is one of the offshore pinnacle clusters that make up Camden Haven's more adventurous diving beyond the sheltered river entrance, sitting alongside Yabbies and Old Faithful as part of a scattered reef system roughly half an hour by boat from Port Macquarie or a shorter run from Laurieton. Rather than a single feature, the site comprises multiple pinnacles, gutters and bommies spread across a stretch of otherwise open sand, their vertical faces and overhangs decorated with gorgonian sea fans that give the site good colour and photographic interest across its 12-to-30-metre depth range. Grey nurse and whaler sharks are both recorded here, reflecting the site's position within the broader corridor of shark activity running between Cod Grounds and the reefs further offshore, and stingrays and moray eels are common among the gutters and overhangs. Bait fish schools move through in numbers, and sea spiders — an unusual and photogenic macro subject — have been noted on the site's structure, adding a point of interest for divers who enjoy looking closely rather than covering ground. Like the other offshore Camden Haven pinnacles, Mermaid Reef is a calm-weather proposition only, given its exposed position with no natural shelter, and it is not part of any standard daily charter schedule — more a special trip offered when conditions and demand align. It suits experienced divers comfortable navigating between separate bommies without a fixed line, and rewards a patient, macro-focused approach as much as a search for the sharks that give the broader area its reputation.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Mermaid Reef (Camden Haven) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Port Macquarie & Camden Haven. The listed access is boat. 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 Mermaid Reef (Camden Haven) 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 Mermaid Reef (Camden Haven) 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
Grey nurse sharks, whaler sharks, gorgonian fans, stingrays, moray eels, bait fish schools, sea spiders
Location
A cluster of multiple pinnacles, gutters and bommies off Camden Haven decorated with gorgonian fans, ranging from 12-30 m.
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
mudgeediveandtravel.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.