Meet the site
Top Slip Point is on the western shore of North Bruny Island, facing Tinderbox across the northern D'Entrecasteaux Channel, north of Trumpeter Bay. The Marine Life Network guide describes soft sedimentary cliffs that have eroded to leave rubble on the bottom and create small caves, cracks and swim-throughs in about 5 m. It calls it a pretty, shallow dive for naturalists and photographers: the shaded caves are coated in zoanthids, jewel anemones and sponges – the same deep-water community that grows in the caves of the Tasman Peninsula, here in just a few metres. Fish include bullseyes in the dark recesses, weedfish, bearded rock cod and trumpeter. The guide advises staying in the shallows, since the bottom at around 15 m is flat and featureless. The site's shallow depth means long dives and plenty of light at the cave mouths, making it ideal for macro photography of the anemones and zoanthids. It is also a good choice for new divers wanting their first taste of swim-throughs in forgiving conditions. Access is by boat only, but the run from Tinderbox is short, and the site is rarely visited, so the invertebrates are undisturbed. Treat the soft rock gently; it crumbles easily and the growth on it is fragile. The northern channel is also a good place to see the effects of the Tinderbox reserve across the water: fish and lobster densities on protected and fished reefs make an interesting comparison. Bring a torch even on a bright day to bring out the colour in the caves, and a macro lens for the zoanthids. Divers staying on North Bruny near Dennes Point can reach the site quickly by small boat, and it is a sensible second dive after a longer run elsewhere in the channel.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Top Slip Point (North Bruny) is recorded as Reef in Bruny Island & D'Entrecasteaux Channel. 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.
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 Top Slip Point (North Bruny) 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 Top Slip Point (North Bruny) 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
Zoanthids, jewel anemones, sponges, bullseyes, weedfish, bearded rock cod, bastard trumpeter, wrasse
Location
Soft sedimentary cliffs on the western shore of North Bruny, north of Trumpeter Bay, eroded into small caves, cracks and swim-throughs in about 5 m.
Facilities nearby
Tinderbox and Dru Point ramps; 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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.