Meet the site
The Outer Bommies sit deeper and further out than their Inner counterpart, dropping into the 26-32 m range where the character of the diving shifts from the shallow bommie field's dense schooling-fish soup to what local divers describe as more traditional deep-reef diving. The structures here are generally larger and more solid, with less of the scattered, patchy feel of the shallower field, and the deeper water brings a different mix of species, favouring larger resident fish and occasional pelagic visitors over the sheer numbers game of the Inner Bommies.Because of the depth, this is very much an Advanced-diver site requiring genuine deep-diving experience and tight gas and no-decompression management; bottom times are correspondingly short, and a shot line or careful anchoring is standard given the depth and potential current. The Outer Bommies are typically dived as the second, deeper leg of a two-dive trip out of Norah Head or Terrigal Haven, following a shallower warm-up on the Inner Bommies, a sequencing that also makes sound decompression sense given the depth progression. Visibility tends to be better out here than in the shallower, more turbid inshore bommie field, particularly once the East Australian Current or a settled autumn weather pattern has cleaned up the water column, making this one of the better deep-reef options on the Central Coast for divers with the training and experience to make the most of it. A dependable shot line and a plan for a drifting or fixed safety-stop position pay off here, since the depth leaves little margin for improvising a hang if the anchor drags or a diver becomes separated from the group.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Outer Bommies (Norah Head) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Central Coast. 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.
- 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.
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 Outer Bommies (Norah Head) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Outer Bommies (Norah Head) 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
Larger resident reef fish, occasional pelagics, gorgonians and sponge growth on solid bommie structure
Location
The deeper half of the Norah Head bommie system, 26-32 m, described as more traditional deep-reef diving.
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
terrigalunderwatergroup.comcoastmagazine.com.aucentralcoastdivers.com.auprodive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.