Meet the site
Picnic Island, also known as Rabbit Island, is a small sandstone island in Great Oyster Bay a short distance from Coles Bay. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 5 out of 10 as an alternative site when north-easterly weather makes other places unsuitable, with depths of 3-6 m.
The guide notes surprisingly large numbers of fish for such a shallow site, including leatherjackets and schools of Trachinops (southern hulafish), and records a large stingray. The sandstone reef differs from the granite that dominates the rest of Freycinet, with more ledges and a flatter profile, and supports brown algae and sponges.
The main hazard highlighted by the guide is fishing nets set around the island, which divers need to watch for carefully. The island is also privately operated as a small accommodation retreat, so landing is not permitted without permission.
Picnic Island suits new divers and snorkellers, and is a useful weather alternative for divers staying in Coles Bay with their own boat. It is not a destination dive and there is no operator running trips there, but on a day when the sea breeze has closed the ocean coast it provides an easy, fishy shallow dive.
Some context helps set expectations for all Freycinet diving. The peninsula's pink granite continues under water as rounded boulders, cracks and steep faces, and the area sits where the warm East Australian Current meets cooler southern water, so species lists mix typical Tasmanian fish with more northern visitors. Over recent decades warming water and grazing by the long-spined sea urchin, which has spread south from New South Wales, have thinned kelp beds along the east coast, and descriptions written in the 1990s may not match what you find today.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Picnic Island (Coles Bay) is recorded as Island 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
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 Picnic Island (Coles Bay) suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Picnic Island (Coles Bay) 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
Leatherjackets, southern hulafish (Trachinops), stingray, wrasse, brown algae, sponges
Location
A small sandstone island in Great Oyster Bay west of Coles Bay, sheltered from north-easterly weather.
Facilities nearby
Coles Bay: boat ramp, toilets, store, cafes, fuel and accommodation. No air fills - bring cylinders from Launceston, Hobart or elsewhere.
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.