Meet the site
Tacking Point and the adjoining Nobbys Beach reef sit just south of Port Macquarie township, at the point marked by the historic Tacking Point Lighthouse, and offer one of the more accessible combinations of shore and boat diving in the immediate Port Macquarie area. Nobbys Beach itself is a well-used surf and snorkelling beach, and on calm days its rocky southern fringe can be dived directly from the sand, giving local divers and visitors without a boat a straightforward look at typical inshore mid-north-coast reef habitat in depths generally under fifteen metres. Around the point itself the reef continues into slightly deeper water more comfortably reached by boat, with rocky gutters, boulders and patches of sponge and soft coral supporting a workaday but reliable mix of temperate reef fish, occasional rays and small reef sharks. This is not a headline dive destination in the way Cod Grounds or the offshore pinnacles further south are, but it fills a useful role as an easy, low-commitment dive for building confidence, for days when weather rules out a longer boat run, or for visiting divers who want to get in the water without booking a full charter. The lighthouse reserve above the point is also a well-known whale-watching vantage during the migration season, and divers in the water here sometimes hear whale song even without a sighting. Overall, Tacking Point and Nobbys are best treated as convenient, moderate-interest reef dives rather than a primary reason to visit the area, valuable chiefly for their accessibility and their role as a calm-weather fallback close to town.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Port Macquarie – Tacking Point / Nobbys reefs is recorded as Reef in Port Macquarie & Camden Haven. The listed access is shore or 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Port Macquarie – Tacking Point / Nobbys reefs 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 Port Macquarie – Tacking Point / Nobbys reefs 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
Temperate reef fish, rays, occasional small reef sharks, sponges and soft corals
Location
Rocky reef fringing Tacking Point (site of the Tacking Point Lighthouse) and Nobbys Beach south of Port Macquarie township, offering easy boat and occasional shore-accessible reef diving and popular snorkelling.
Facilities nearby
Car parking, toilets at Nobbys Beach and the Tacking Point Lighthouse reserve; cafes in Port Macquarie town.
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
en.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.