Meet the site
The reefs off The Entrance are known collectively as The Bommies - part of Tuggerah Reef - and Muddy Puddle Diver describes the area as a popular sport fishing, spearfishing and dive site with several shallow sites. PJ Cove is one of these, and the name almost certainly refers to the Port Jackson sharks that are common on shallow NSW reefs from winter into spring, when they gather to breed and lay their spiral egg cases in crevices. The bommies are patches of sandstone reef rising from sand, with coves, ledges, boulders and gutters in relatively shallow water. The Terrigal Underwater Group's description of the wider system as a series of shallow sites that are total fish soup fits well: yellowtail, silver sweep, one-spot pullers and mado fill the water, eastern blue gropers and red morwong work the reef, and wobbegongs, fiddler rays and Port Jackson sharks rest on the sand and in the ledges. Kelp covers the tops, with sponges, sea squirts and encrusting growth on the sides, and nudibranchs and cuttlefish are common. Shallow depths mean long bottom times and good light, making the site suitable for Open Water divers and for photographers who want wide-angle shots of fish and sharks. The same shallowness means swell matters - the bommies break in big seas and surge is noticeable on the tops. Because the area is also heavily fished and spearfished, expect boats and occasional line. For divers, it offers an easy, fishy reef between Terrigal and Norah Head, and with the existing Inner and Outer Bommies entries it rounds out the Tuggerah Reef system.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
PJ Cove (Entrance Bommies) is recorded as Reef 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.
- 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.
- 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 PJ Cove (Entrance Bommies) 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 PJ Cove (Entrance Bommies) 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
Port Jackson sharks (winter-spring), wobbegong sharks, fiddler rays, yellowtail, silver sweep, one-spot pullers, mado, eastern blue groper, red morwong, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, kelp
Location
Shallow reef on Tuggerah Reef off The Entrance, part of the bommie system known locally as 'The Bommies', popular with fishers, spearfishers and divers.
Facilities nearby
Departs Norah Head boat ramp: parking and toilets; nearest air fills at Terrigal or Toukley area dive shops.
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
muddypuddlediver.comterrigalunderwatergroup.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.