Meet the site
Patersons Arch is a series of large swim-through arches in the sea cliffs between Tasman Arch and Waterfall Bay, a short boat ride from Pirates Bay. Descriptions of the site pair it with the Waterfall Bay caves and caverns as a dive accessible to all qualification levels, because the arches are open to daylight and there is always a clear exit ahead. The main arch is broad and high, framing the blue water beyond, and its ceiling and walls are coated with the shaded-habitat invertebrates typical of this coast: jewel anemones, golden zoanthids, sponges and bryozoans. Schools of bullseyes hang in the shadows, draughtboard sharks rest on the floor and rock lobsters tuck into undercuts. Outside, the dolerite continues as walls and boulders with kelp in the shallows, where weedy seadragons are regularly seen. The combination makes Patersons Arch a good choice for divers who want an overhead-feeling experience without committing to Cathedral Cave's longer guided route, and it is a favourite with wide-angle photographers who can silhouette divers against the arch mouth. The geology is the same that created the land features nearby – Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blowhole – where the sea has eroded joints in the rock into caves that later collapse into arches and chasms. Depths range from about 6 m on the kelp-covered shelves to around 20 m at the base of the cliff. As with every cliff-base site here, the dive depends on the swell; on calm days it is easy and relaxed, while surge through the arch on rougher days makes it a site to skip.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Patersons Arch is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Tasman Peninsula. 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.
- 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 Patersons Arch 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 Patersons Arch 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
Jewel anemones, golden zoanthids, sponges, bryozoans, bullseyes, draughtboard sharks, southern rock lobster, weedy seadragons, butterfly perch, wrasse, banded morwong
Location
Large swim-through arches in the cliffs between Tasman Arch and Waterfall Bay on the Tasman Peninsula's east coast.
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
goldcoastdiveadventures.com.aueaglehawkdive.com.auxray-mag.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.