Meet the site
The Shoalhaven Offshore Artificial Reef was deployed by NSW DPI in February 2015 about 4.3 km north-east of the Shoalhaven River mouth, off Culburra Beach. It consists of 20 purpose-built concrete modules arranged in five clusters of four, with a combined volume of about 1,600 cubic metres, on sand at 33 m.
Like the other offshore artificial reefs along the NSW coast, it was built to create fish habitat for recreational anglers. DPI lists kingfish, trevally, snapper, morwong, tailor, salmon and mulloway as species frequenting the site, and advises anglers to watch the current direction to find where baitfish congregate. After a decade on the bottom, the modules can be expected to carry encrusting sponges, ascidians and algae and to shelter leatherjackets, morwong and other reef fish, although dive reports from this reef are scarce.
For divers it offers a compact, structured site in open sand at recreational-deep depths, with a good chance of schooling pelagics. The logistics require care: the Crookhaven bar can be dangerous, the site is exposed, and the reef is fished heavily, so lost lines and hooks are an entanglement hazard. Visibility is affected by the Shoalhaven River plume after rain. It suits Advanced divers with a capable boat, and could be combined with the offshore Sir John Young Banks on an exceptional day, or with a shallower dive along the coast. Details of the current state of growth are not published, so confidence is moderate. Water temperatures here range from about 15 °C in winter to 22–23 °C in late summer.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Shoalhaven Offshore Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef in Shoalhaven 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- 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 Shoalhaven Offshore Artificial Reef suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Shoalhaven Offshore Artificial 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
Kingfish, trevally, snapper, morwong, tailor, Australian salmon, mulloway (DPI list); encrusting growth and reef fish expected
Location
Twenty concrete reef modules in five clusters deployed by NSW DPI in 2015 on sand at 33 m, about 4.3 km north-east of the Shoalhaven River mouth.
Facilities nearby
Crookhaven Heads boat ramp; fills at Huskisson or Nowra.
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
dpird.nsw.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.