Meet the site
The Scallop Beds lie on the sheltered inside of Bowen Island, where sand and scattered weed at about 12 m support a rich community of small creatures. McFadyen describes the beds as totally protected, with prolific macro life for photographers, and notes that the site works well as a night dive.
This is a muck-style dive: there is little in the way of reef structure, and the interest is in what lives on and in the sand. Scallops give the site its name, and divers find seahorses clinging to weed, octopus in burrows, sea pens, flathead half-buried in the sand, stingrays, and a variety of nudibranchs and crabs. At night the beds come alive with hunting octopus and cuttlefish, shrimps with glowing eyes and burrowing anemones extending their tentacles.
Its protection and modest depth make it suitable for any certified diver, and it is an excellent place to practise buoyancy and macro photography. Navigation is the main skill required: with few landmarks, a compass and a simple pattern keep divers oriented. The site is also close to the Murrays Beach ramp and Booderee National Park facilities. The waters around Bowen Island are within Booderee National Park and a sanctuary zone, so all animals – including the scallops – are protected. A good torch and a macro lens are the essential kit. For divers staying at Jervis Bay Village or camping in Booderee, it is one of the easiest night dives to organise with a small boat from Murrays, and on calm summer evenings the surface interval can be spent watching the sun set over the bay. Squid often gather in the torchlight, so expect company on the ascent.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Scallop Beds is recorded as Muck/Sand in Jervis Bay. 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.
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 Scallop Beds 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 Scallop Beds 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
Scallops, seahorses, octopus, sea pens, flathead, stingrays, nudibranchs, crabs, cuttlefish, burrowing anemones
Location
Totally protected sand habitat inside Bowen Island at about 12 m, rich in macro life and a favourite night dive.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Huskisson (Dive Jervis Bay shop, air/nitrox, cafés) or Murrays Beach ramp in Booderee National Park (toilets, parking; park entry pass required).
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.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.