Meet the site
Nobbys Rock is a rounded granite formation off St Helens that the Marine Life Network guide rates 7 out of 10. Extensive reef patches surround it in 8-24 m, with crayfish, trumpeter, banded morwong, butterfly perch and sponges.
The guide describes the site as scenic but notes urchin damage on its seaward side, where the black sea urchin has grazed the weed. The sheltered side retains more growth and fish. The rock gives easy navigation - circle it - while the surrounding reef patches give room to explore.
It suits Advanced Open Water divers and is a convenient dive close to the bar for boats based at St Helens Point.
The north-east coast from St Helens to the Bay of Fires is built of the same orange-lichen granite as Freycinet, and under water it forms rounded boulders, cracks and swim-throughs. The regional guide notes damage from the long-spined black sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) on several sites; this urchin has spread south with the warming East Australian Current and grazes kelp and weed down to bare 'barrens', so expect patches of bare rock among the weed.
The north-east sees far fewer divers than Bicheno or the Tasman Peninsula. There is no regular charter boat, so most diving is done by Launceston club members and visitors towing their own boats, and conditions are checked on the morning rather than booked in advance. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, more than three hours' drive away; Launceston General Hospital has no chamber, so evacuation planning and oxygen on board matter here.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Nobbys Rock (St Helens) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Tasmania North-East. 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.
- 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 Nobbys Rock (St Helens) 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 Nobbys Rock (St Helens) 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
Crayfish, trumpeter, banded morwong, butterfly perch, sponges, wrasse
Location
A rounded granite formation off St Helens surrounded by extensive reef patches in 8-24 m.
Facilities nearby
St Helens: boat ramps, toilets, supermarket, cafes, fuel and accommodation. Binalong Bay: ramp, toilets, cafe. Air fills unconfirmed locally - nearest reliable fills in Launceston.
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.