Meet the site
Sir John Young Banks is the most serious dive in this region – an offshore reef system 16 km out from Crookhaven Heads that rises from depths of more than 70 m to a plateau as shallow as 16 m. The main dive is on the 33 m reef, which runs roughly north–south and drops to a narrow shelf at 42 m before a second wall falls to 50 m. Other marks give an 18 m reef and a 40 m+ reef, and a northern reef is also charted.
The banks are a magnet for pelagic life. McFadyen lists tuna, yellowtail kingfish, hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and grey and bronze whalers, alongside cuttlefish, leatherjackets and swirling bait. The fixed life is spectacular: sea whips, sponges and sea squirts cover the walls, and nudibranchs and sea stars are abundant. He describes the colours as unlike almost any other dive, a result of the clear oceanic water and the absence of kelp at depth.
This is not a site for casual visits. The banks are usually swept by currents from the north, often strong enough to make anchoring and descending difficult, and the presence of large sharks, the depth, the distance from shore and the Crookhaven bar all add risk. Divers need a capable boat with a skipper who stays aboard, excellent sea conditions, and experience in deep open-ocean diving; most visits are by technical divers using trimix or nitrox with decompression gases. For those who can meet those conditions it is one of the most spectacular offshore dives on the NSW coast, and it is rarely dived, so the reef remains in pristine condition.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Sir John Young Banks is recorded as Seamount in Shoalhaven Coast. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Sir John Young Banks suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 Sir John Young Banks 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
Hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, grey and bronze whalers, tuna, yellowtail kingfish, cuttlefish, leatherjackets, nudibranchs, sea stars, sea whips, sponges, sea squirts
Location
Offshore reef system 16 km east of Crookhaven Heads rising from more than 70 m to a plateau at about 16 m, with walls dropping to 42 m and 50 m; pelagic sharks and strong currents.
Facilities nearby
Crookhaven Heads boat ramp: trailer parking, toilets; air and nitrox at Huskisson (Dive Jervis Bay) or Nowra-area shops.
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.