Meet the site
The seal colony near Steamers Beach, on the ocean side of Booderee National Park, is one of the best places in NSW to dive with Australian fur seals. McFadyen named his mark Alyssa's Playground, and operators call it the Steamers Headland seal colony. Around 30–40 seals use the area, and they are extremely approachable and used to divers – they often come within a foot of a diver's mask, surfacing to breathe and returning again and again. Encounters are best when divers stay still on the bottom rather than chasing them.
The seabed is rocky with many huge boulders accumulated over millennia, and sand at about 25 m. A prominent bommie sits just beneath the surface near the western point of a small bay, a wall drops on the western side, and the reef turns east into shallower flat or sloping rock at 10–12 m below the wave-washed platform. Sponges, sea squirts and sea whips cover the boulders, and ocean sunfish are occasionally seen, suggesting the area acts as a cleaning station. Deep 6 notes that fish life is less abundant than at other sites – this dive is about the seals.
Visibility is normally very good, at least 20 m. The seals are present year-round, but numbers and activity peak in winter, when operators run dedicated seal trips; Deep 6 describes the seals as migrating to the colony south of St Georges Head in winter. The run from Huskisson is long and exposed, so trips depend on the weather. Divers should respect the animals: no touching, feeding or chasing, and give large bulls and hauled-out seals plenty of space.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Steamers Beach Seal Colony is recorded as Reef 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Steamers Beach Seal Colony 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 Steamers Beach Seal Colony 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
Australian fur seals (30–40), ocean sunfish (occasional), sponges, sea squirts, sea whips, kingfish, silver sweep
Location
Boulder reef below a rock platform near Steamers Beach on Booderee's ocean coast, about 5.3 nautical miles south of Bowen Island's northern end, home to 30–40 Australian fur seals.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Huskisson (Dive Jervis Bay shop, air/nitrox, cafés) or Murrays Beach ramp (Booderee; toilets, parking, park 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.infodeep6divingjervisbay.com.aumarinelife.org.aushoalhaven.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.