Meet the site
Old Faithful is a rock wall and pinnacle formation off Camden Haven that has earned its reliable-sounding name through consistent, dependable diving over the years — a large cave at the base of the pinnacle is the site's headline feature, its interior supporting a genuine sponge garden that ranks among the better macro diving spots in the wider Port Macquarie and Camden Haven area. That sponge garden is significant enough to support the rare and much sought-after eastern blue devil fish, a species that draws dedicated fish-spotters and photographers specifically to sites known to hold it, making Old Faithful a worthwhile target for divers building a life list of unusual Australian reef fish. Beyond the cave and its macro life, the site supports jewfish schools moving through the open water around the pinnacle, along with a general scattering of pelagic visitors typical of this offshore reef cluster, and starfish and nudibranchs add further interest for divers with a slower, close-focus diving style. The site's depth range of ten to twenty-five metres keeps it within solid recreational limits while still offering enough vertical structure to feel like a genuine pinnacle dive rather than a flat reef. As with the neighbouring Yabbies and Mermaid Reef, Old Faithful is a calm-weather, special-trip site rather than a daily fixture, and it rewards patient, detail-focused divers more than those chasing big-animal drama, with the eastern blue devil fish sighting typically the highlight any visiting diver hopes to tick off. Photographers hoping for the blue devil in particular should ask the skipper how recently it was last seen before committing gas and time to a thorough search of the cave.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Old Faithful (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.
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.
- 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 Old Faithful (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 Old Faithful (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
Eastern blue devil fish (rare), jewfish schools, pelagic fish, nudibranchs, starfish
Location
A rock wall/pinnacle formation off Camden Haven, 10-25 m, with a large cave at its base and an excellent macro-diving sponge garden, home to the rare eastern blue devil fish.
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.