Meet the site
The Steps is a bommie east of the harbour rocks at Bicheno. Its top is at about 6 m and, as the name suggests, the reef drops in a series of steps from the shallows down to sand at about 32 m. A chimney connects the reef to the deeper sections, giving the dive a vertical element that is unusual among the Bicheno inshore sites.
Michael McFadyen recorded kelp in the shallows, then sponges, small gorgonians, yellow sea spiders, starfish and long-snouted boarfish on the deeper steps, as well as large crayfish. He also noted small jellyfish with medium-length tentacles in the deeper water on his dive. Butterfly perch and banded morwong, common throughout Bicheno, are also likely.
The stepped structure makes The Steps a flexible dive. Experienced divers can go to the sand and spiral upward, while those wanting a shallower dive can stay on the upper steps and still see most of the life. The shallow top also makes a comfortable place for a long safety stop.
The Steps is exposed to southerly swell, and visibility can vary enormously: normally excellent, it can drop below 2 m after a blow. It suits Advanced Open Water divers. It is not generally considered part of the Governor Island Marine Reserve, which covers only the waters within a 400 m semicircle off the island's eastern shore, so check the reserve boundary if you intend to fish. Because it lies close to the harbour entrance, surfacing divers should always deploy an SMB so that fishing boats leaving the Gulch can see them.
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 Steps (Bicheno) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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.
- 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 Steps (Bicheno) 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 Steps (Bicheno) 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
Kelp, sponges, small gorgonians, yellow sea spiders, starfish, long-snouted boarfish, southern rock lobster, butterfly perch, banded morwong
Location
A bommie east of the Bicheno harbour rocks that drops in a series of steps from 6 m to sand at about 32 m.
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.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.