Meet the site
The Hairy Wall takes its name from the forest of sea whips that sprout from its face. It is a granite cliff that runs parallel to the eastern shore of Governor Island, starting in kelp at around 15 m and dropping steeply to sand at 35-40 m. The Parks and Wildlife Service reserve brochure lists it as one of three signature sites in the reserve, along with The Castle and Golden Bommies.
Below the kelp line the wall is covered in whips, finger sponges and outcrops of colourful encrusting sponge, with ascidians, hydroids and patches of yellow zoanthids filling the gaps. A moderate current often runs along the wall, which keeps the filter feeders fat and the water clearer than on the more sheltered sites. Butterfly perch hang off the face in large numbers, and banded morwong, long-snouted boarfish and bastard trumpeter work the ledges. Crayfish are big and common thanks to the reserve's no-take status.
The dive is essentially a wall swim, so navigation is easy: keep the wall on one side, go out and come back, or drift with the current and let the boat follow your bubbles. The temptation is to follow the wall down, and several guides warn divers to watch their depth because the best life is found from about 20 m down and the sand is at 40 m. Staying at 22-28 m gives a longer, safer dive with just as much to see.
The wall is a favourite of macro and wide-angle photographers because the whips give scale and colour to a wide shot and the sponges hide nudibranchs and sea spiders for close-up work. It suits experienced divers who are comfortable with depth, cold water and a little current. It is often combined with The Canyon and Paradise Reef, which lie on the same reef system.
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 Hairy Wall is recorded as Wall in Tasmania East 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 The Hairy Wall suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Hairy Wall 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
Sea whips, finger sponges, encrusting sponges, yellow zoanthids, ascidians, hydroids, butterfly perch, banded morwong, long-snouted boarfish, bastard trumpeter, southern rock lobster, nudibranchs, sea spiders
Location
A long granite drop-off running parallel to the eastern side of Governor Island in the Governor Island Marine Reserve, Bicheno.
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
ccwtasmania.comparks.tas.gov.aumarinelife.org.auindopacificimages.com50greatdives.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.