Meet the site
The Cables is one of Breaksea Island's signature dives and, according to Marine Life Network, spectacular. It lies on the northern side of the island beneath the lighthouse, about 100 m offshore, where tall granite bommies rise from about 28 m to within 9 m of the surface. The name comes from the tangled remains of an old communication cable that once linked the lighthouse station to the mainland and still snakes across the bottom between the bommies.
The bommies are the attraction: steep granite columns plastered in large sea fans and plate corals, sponges and ascidians, with gutters and overhangs at their bases. Large blue groper are resident and will follow divers around the site, and fish life is plentiful – harlequin fish, boarfish, western blue devils, queen snapper, sweep and bullseyes around the bommies, with schools of yellowtail kingfish and samson fish passing through the clear water on the northern side. Nudibranchs, cowries and feather stars reward a closer look at the walls.
Because the island shelters it from southerly swell, The Cables is often the outer-island site that goes ahead when the southern and western sides are breaking. That makes it one of the more frequently visited Breaksea sites on South Coast Diving Supplies charters, and it is often paired with Breaksea Boulders or another northern-side dive.
With depths from 9 to 28 m it suits Advanced Open Water divers, though Open Water divers can enjoy the upper parts of the bommies with a guide. It is a highlight for photographers because of the combination of relief, colourful fans and reliable visibility, and for anyone curious about the lighthouse and its history above.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Cables (Breaksea Island) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Albany & Great Southern. 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.
- 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 The Cables (Breaksea Island) 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 The Cables (Breaksea Island) 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
Blue groper, harlequin fish, boarfish, western blue devil, queen snapper, sweep, bullseyes, yellowtail kingfish, samson fish, sea fans, plate corals, sponges, nudibranchs
Location
Tall granite bommies about 100 m offshore under the lighthouse on the northern side of Breaksea Island, named after a tangled old mainland communication cable.
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
marinelife.org.auperthscuba.rezdy.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
