Meet the site
The Outer Reef off Rocky Cape is rated 9 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide and described as one of the north-west coast's better spots. It is a large rectangular rocky outcrop over 100 m long, whose pinnacle-dominated top at about 8 m shelves in steps down to 25 m; the Rocky Cape side drops suddenly and the seaward side shelves gently. Michael McFadyen describes a distinctive double bommie with twin peaks at about 4 m, a gully at about 10 m between them and the sand edge at about 22 m, with kelp about 1.5 m high on top.
Current-driven growth is the highlight: gorgonians, sponges including barrel sponges, yellow and white sea pens, sea daisies, hydroids, tunicates and zoanthids on overhangs, with leatherjackets, wrasse, seapike, pufferfish and clouds of other fish. McFadyen had 25 m-plus visibility and 18.7 °C water in February. Local divers typically combine two or three Rocky Cape and Sisters Island sites in a day, choosing the side of the cape that suits the wind and the state of the tide.
The Rocky Cape and Sisters Island area is, in the Leven Scuba Club's words, the best collection of dive sites on the north-west coast. The quartzite of Rocky Cape - some of the oldest rock in Tasmania - forms gutters, ledges, caves and bommies, and the tidal flow along Bass Strait keeps sponges, gorgonians, sea pens and bryozoans well fed. Michael McFadyen, diving here in February 2008, recorded 18-19 °C water and 20-25 m visibility, figures that surprise divers used to the east coast.
Rocky Cape National Park also protects Aboriginal cave sites and coastal heath above the water, and a Parks Pass is required for vehicles. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about four hours' drive away, so conservative profiles and oxygen on the boat are essential.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Rocky Cape Outer Reef is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Tasmania North & North-West. 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.
- 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Rocky Cape Outer Reef 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 Rocky Cape Outer Reef 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
Gorgonians, barrel sponges, sea pens, sea daisies, hydroids, tunicates, zoanthids, leatherjackets, wrasse, seapike, pufferfish, crayfish
Location
A double-peaked rocky outcrop about 2.3 km off the Rocky Cape lighthouse, stepping from 4-8 m down to 22-25 m.
Facilities nearby
Rocky Cape National Park: day-use areas, toilets and picnic facilities at Mary Ann Bay/western end and near the lighthouse road; no shops. Sisters Beach and Boat Harbour have small general stores; Wynyard for all services. No confirmed air fills on the coast - Launceston is the reliable option.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.