Meet the site
The exposed eastern end of Michaelmas Island is where King George Sound diving starts to feel like the open Southern Ocean. Marine Life Network's Albany site list describes three related sites here. The Eastern End wall, 50-60 m off the tip of the island, drops from about 12 m to 27 m and carries very large gorgonian fans and ledges of black coral, with schools of pelagic fish off the wall when the tide is running. The Michaelmas Island Fingers are long granite ridges extending from the eastern end in 25-30 m, separated by canyons and crevasses covered in sea fans, sea stars, nudibranchs, sponges, gorgonians, sea tulips, ascidians and soft corals, with boarfish, blue groper, morwong, harlequin fish, wrasse, leatherjackets, scalyfin, bullseyes and western blue devils in residence.
On the south-east corner, in 7-26 m, a jumble of granite has formed caves and grottos lined with fans, colourful sponges and shells. One large boulder here, known as Grinding Rock, shifts and grinds with the swell – an unnerving but memorable sound, and a warning that the caves are only for flat days. At the opposite, western end of the island, Anchor Rock is a field of tumbled granite boulders in 12-18 m that forms swim-throughs and small caves with excellent invertebrate and fish life, and is often the fallback when the east end is rough.
This is advanced diving: deeper than the northern side, subject to tidal flow along the wall and surge in the caves, and weather-dependent. When conditions line up, however, the combination of big gorgonians, black coral and granite topography is among the best close to Albany, and a good step between the sheltered sound sites and the outer Breaksea walls.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Michaelmas Island Eastern End & Fingers is recorded as Wall in Albany & Great Southern. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Michaelmas Island Eastern End & Fingers 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 Michaelmas Island Eastern End & Fingers 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 gorgonian fans, black coral, sea tulips, sea stars, nudibranchs, sponges, soft corals, boarfish, blue groper, morwong, harlequin fish, wrasse, leatherjackets, scalyfin, bullseyes, western blue devil, schooling pelagics (kingfish, samson fish, trevally)
Location
Granite walls, fingers and caves at the exposed eastern end and south-east corner of Michaelmas Island, facing the entrance of King George Sound.
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
