Meet the site
A short distance offshore from the Tinderbox Bay boat ramp lies an artificial reef built from hundreds of bus tyres, a small wooden boat, car bodies and assorted smaller items, dropped onto the sandy bottom in about 10 m to create habitat. The Marine Life Network guide lists it as marked by moorings, about 200 m from the ramp, and describes schools of fish, small crayfish, sponges and coral growths on the structures. Over the years the tyres and debris have become encrusted with sponges, ascidians and other invertebrates, and the hollows provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in an otherwise featureless sand and silt area. Schools of small fish hover over the piles, leatherjackets and wrasse pick at the growth, and crayfish, crabs and octopus use the cavities. It is an easy, shallow structure dive suited to training and to divers who enjoy poking around artificial habitat. Because it sits near the Tinderbox marine reserve and boat ramp, boat traffic is the main hazard; a dive flag is required, and the return swim from shore is stiff, so most divers use a small boat. Visibility follows the local pattern: acceptable after dry weather, poor after rain. The reef's value today is partly historical – such tyre reefs are no longer built, as tyres are now recognised as a poor reef material – but the existing structure supports a surprising amount of life. Check whether the site lies inside the current reserve boundary before collecting anything; the safest approach is to take nothing.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Tinderbox Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef in Hobart & Derwent. The listed access is shore or boat. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
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 Tinderbox Artificial Reef suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Tinderbox Artificial Reef 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
Schooling small fish, leatherjackets, wrasse, small rock lobster, crabs, octopus, sponges, ascidians, encrusting invertebrates
Location
Artificial reef of bus tyres, cars, a small wooden boat and other material in about 10 m in Tinderbox Bay, about 200 m from the boat ramp and marked by moorings.
Facilities nearby
Tinderbox Bay car park and small ramp; fills in Kingston or Hobart.
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.auparks.tas.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.