Meet the site
The Sugarlump is a compact reef feature on the coast near Eaglehawk Neck made up of two large rock cubes that have split apart, leaving a fissure between them. The Marine Life Network guide rates it in 15-20 m and describes the crack as packed with life, with huge banded morwong, crayfish and anemones. The appeal of the site is the concentration of life in a small area. The walls of the fissure are shaded from direct sunlight, so jewel anemones, sponges and other encrusting invertebrates cover the rock, while the gap provides shelter for fish. Banded morwong, which can grow very large on protected reefs, rest on the floor, and rock lobsters shelter in the cracks and undercuts at the base of the blocks. The outer faces of the blocks carry brown algae in the shallows and sponges deeper down, and butterfly perch often hang in the current on the seaward side. It is a straightforward dive for an Advanced or experienced Open Water diver: a short, deliberate circuit rather than a long swim. Because the site is not on the regular charter roster, it is quiet, and divers who visit usually do so on private boats with local knowledge. Navigation is simple once on the bottom, since the blocks provide a clear reference, but an SMB is essential for pick-up along this cliffed coastline where there is no shore exit. Documentation is limited and mostly historical, so treat depths as indicative and confirm current conditions with Eaglehawk Dive Centre.
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 Sugarlump is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Tasman Peninsula. 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.
- 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 Sugarlump 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 Sugarlump 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
Banded morwong (large), southern rock lobster, jewel anemones, sponges, butterfly perch, wrasse, leatherjackets, bastard trumpeter
Location
Two cube-shaped rock blocks near the coastal cliffs south of Eaglehawk Neck, separated by a fissure packed with invertebrates.
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.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.