Meet the site
Point Puer is a low headland on the southern side of Port Arthur, directly opposite the Isle of the Dead, and it carries a heavy history: from 1834 to 1849 it was the site of a prison for convict boys, some as young as nine, who were separated from the adult convicts at the main settlement across the harbour. Today it is part of the Port Arthur Historic Site, and the waters around it offer a sheltered, easy dive when the ocean coasts are rough. The Marine Life Network guide describes Point Puer in 5-15 m with kelp gardens, a steep slope, caves and cliffs, and records crayfish and abalone. The reef slopes quite steeply from the shore and is covered in kelp and brown algae, with small caves and crevices along the base of the cliffs where rock lobster shelter. Wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong and bastard trumpeter are common, weedy seadragons and seahorses can be found in the weed, and rays forage on the sand. Water clarity is lower than on the Tasman Sea coast, particularly after rain when tannin-stained runoff enters the harbour, but the shelter makes it one of the most reliable dives on the peninsula. The Isle of the Dead, the settlement's cemetery with more than a thousand burials, lies a few hundred metres away; its shores are part of the historic site and should be respected. Divers must not remove any artefacts, bricks or other material from the seabed around the historic site. Point Puer suits Open Water divers and makes a good second dive or a sheltered alternative when Go Dive Tasmania launches from Port Arthur. Combine the dive with a visit to the historic site, including the Point Puer and Isle of the Dead tours, to understand what you are looking at from the water.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Point Puer is recorded as Reef 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.
- 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 Point Puer 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 Point Puer 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
Kelp and brown algae, southern rock lobster, abalone, blue-throated wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong, bastard trumpeter, weedy seadragons, big-belly seahorses, smooth rays
Location
Kelp-covered slope, caves and low cliffs off Point Puer, the site of the convict boys' prison, opposite the Isle of the Dead inside Port Arthur.
Facilities nearby
Carnarvon Bay boat ramp with parking; toilets, cafe and fuel at Port Arthur; no dive shop – fills at Eaglehawk Neck or Hobart.
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.augodivetas.com.aueaglehawkdive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.