Meet the site
Taroona sits on the western shore of the Derwent between Sandy Bay and Kingston, and the reef around Crayfish Point is one of the closest ocean-influenced reef dives to central Hobart. Go Dive Tasmania lists the Taroona Marine Reserve at 3-18 m for all certified divers, describing rocky reefs and kelp beds with a good chance of southern rock lobster. The protection here is a fisheries research area rather than a full marine reserve: the Crayfish Point (Taroona) research area extends about 800 m offshore between Nubeena Crescent and the Taroona Beach boat ramp, with a surrounding buffer zone. Commercial rock lobster harvesting is banned and taking lobster and abalone is restricted, although rod-and-line fishing is permitted. The result is a reef where rock lobsters are relatively abundant – the point is home to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies' fisheries centre, which uses the area for research. The reef is dolerite and sandstone boulders covered in kelp and brown algae, with sponges, ascidians and invertebrates on the rock faces and sand and silt beyond. Wrasse, leatherjackets, bastard trumpeter and other reef fish are common, and the Derwent estuary's rarer species – including the spotted handfish – have been recorded in the Taroona area; bottlenose dolphins also visit. Visibility is often low, as this is estuary water influenced by the river, and night dives can reveal bioluminescence. The site's history is rich: the Muwinina people lived here for many thousands of years, and Taroona's name comes from their word for chiton. Taroona suits all certified divers looking for a quick local dive with good crayfish numbers.
What you might see
Southern rock lobster (abundant), kelp and brown algae, sponges, ascidians, wrasse, leatherjackets, bastard trumpeter, octopus, sea stars; spotted handfish recorded in the area; bottlenose dolphins
Location
Rocky reefs and kelp beds around Crayfish Point and Taroona Beach on the western shore of the Derwent, within the Crayfish Point fisheries research area.
Facilities nearby
Parking at Niree Parade and Taroona Park; toilets in Taroona Park; fills in Hobart and Kingston.
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
godivetas.com.aufishing.tas.gov.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.