Meet the site
The North-Eastern Bommie is a large rocky outcrop off the north-east of Maria Island, rated 7 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide. Depths range from 10 to 30 m, with splits in the rock full of fish and sheltered rock faces.
The standout feature is a 5 m-high rock face packed with yellow zoanthids. Bull kelp covers the top of the outcrop, and leatherjackets, wrasse, butterfly perch, banded morwong and long-finned pike are common.
The outcrop suits Advanced Open Water divers who want a deeper, more structured dive than the shallow reefs near Darlington. It can be combined with the Fossil Cliffs swim-through on the same trip, running back past Cape Boullanger for the second dive once the gas and surface interval allow.
Maria Island is a national park with no permanent residents apart from rangers, and the Darlington settlement preserves convict-era buildings from 1825 onwards. The marine reserve along the island's northern and western shores has been no-take since 1991 and has been used for long-term studies of how protection affects rock lobster and fish numbers, so reef life inside it is noticeably richer than outside.
Maria Island's boat sites are rarely visited because there is no operator on the island and the eastern coast is a long way from the Triabunna ramp. Visitors with their own boats should carry oxygen and a radio, check the forecast for Mercury Passage as well as the open coast, and remember that the Royal Hobart Hospital chamber is roughly two hours away by road once back at Triabunna.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
North-Eastern Bommie (Maria Island) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Tasmania East Coast. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 North-Eastern Bommie (Maria 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 North-Eastern Bommie (Maria 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
Yellow zoanthids, bull kelp, leatherjackets, wrasse, butterfly perch, banded morwong, long-finned pike
Location
A large rocky outcrop off the north-east of Maria Island with fish-filled splits and a 5 m rock face packed with yellow zoanthids.
Facilities nearby
Darlington: toilets, showers at the Penitentiary accommodation, campground, ranger station, no shop or air fills. Triabunna: ramp, fuel, supermarket, cafes. Nearest air fills in Hobart.
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.