Stanley Point (Flinders Island)

Meet the site

Stanley Point, opposite the Sisters Islands at the northern tip of Flinders Island, is described by the Marine Life Network guide as the best shore dive on the island, rated 8 out of 10. The point is affected by current from the passage between Flinders and the Sisters, which feeds rock walls packed with colourful invertebrates and sponges at about 15 m, and small colourful fish such as mado and juvenile scalyfin that are uncommon elsewhere in Tasmania. Sheltered bays either side of the point allow safe entry and exit. Local advice from Flinders Island Dive or the charter skippers at Lady Barron on current conditions, tides and exact positions is the best starting point for any dive here.

The Furneaux Group - Flinders, Cape Barren, Clarke, Preservation and dozens of smaller islands - is one of Australia's least-dived temperate regions. Granite dominates, but Flinders Island also has unusual limestone reefs, and the islands' position on the eastern approach to Bass Strait left a long trail of shipwrecks from the colony's earliest years. The Marine Life Network guide remains the fullest published account of the dive sites; since then Flinders Island Dive at Emita has made air and guiding available on the island.

All wrecks over 75 years old are protected under Commonwealth and Tasmanian heritage law: nothing may be disturbed or removed, and new finds should be reported to the Parks and Wildlife Service. There is no chamber on the island, so a diving injury means aeromedical evacuation to Hobart or Melbourne; dive conservatively and carry oxygen.

What you might see

Sponges, colourful invertebrates, mado, juvenile scalyfin, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie perch

Location

The best shore dive on Flinders Island, a point opposite the Sisters Islands near the North East River, with rock walls packed with sponges and invertebrates in about 15 m.

Facilities nearby

None at the point. Killiecrankie: small settlement; Whitemark for services. Whitemark: shops, fuel, hospital (no chamber), accommodation. Lady Barron: ramp, fuel, pub, store. Emita: Flinders Island Dive (air, hire) and Furneaux Museum.