New South Wales · Wall

Under the Tube (Moon Island)

A steep wall with the spectacular Slot Cave and one of the region's best populations of eastern blue devilfish.

Newcastle & Lake MacquarieBoat
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Depth
12–22 m
Certification
Advanced Open Water
Access
Boat
Dive type
Wall
Region
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

Depth describes the recorded site range, not a recommended dive depth. Certification is a recorded recommendation; suitability depends on your planned route, training, experience and current conditions.

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Location & map

Approximate area

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Meet the site

Under the Tube takes its name from the waves that tube over the rocks at the north-east corner of Moon Island, and the dive is on the steep wall beneath them. Grey Nurse Charters describes a rocky reef wall from 12 to 22 m with the Slot Cave, transitioning to sand in the deeper sections, and notes a strong population of eastern blue devilfish. iNaturalist's Moon Island notes add a steep wall, the 'amazing' Slot Cave and the Donut Cave. The wall is the main attraction: sheer in places, with cracks, holes and overhangs that shelter a wide range of fish and invertebrates. The Slot Cave is a narrow cleft cutting into the rock - a spectacular feature in good visibility - while the Donut Cave is a rounded hole that frames divers nicely for photos. Soft corals, sponges and ascidians cover the shaded surfaces. Eastern blue devilfish are the resident stars. These shy, electric-blue fish with white spots hide in holes and crevices and are a favourite of photographers; Under the Tube has more of them than most sites in the region. Around them are bullseyes, one-spot pullers, red morwong, wrasse and wobbegongs, with weedy seadragons, bull rays and Port Jackson sharks recorded around the island. In winter, grey nurse sharks from The Temple sometimes move along the walls. At 12-22 m the dive suits Advanced divers, or Open Water divers with a guide, who are comfortable near a wall with some surge overhead. It pairs well with The Temple or The Arch on a double-dive morning from Swansea.

What you might see

Eastern blue devilfish (abundant), bullseyes, one-spot pullers, red morwong, wrasse, wobbegong sharks, weedy seadragons, bull rays, Port Jackson sharks, soft corals, sponges

Location

A steep rocky reef wall on the north-east corner of Moon Island, 12-22 m, featuring the Slot Cave and Donut Cave and a strong population of eastern blue devilfish.

Facilities nearby

Departs Swansea (Black Neds Bay ramp): parking, toilets; air fills in Swansea.

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.

Record updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.

Operators linked to this site

These links are recorded in the directory. Confirm current trips and site access directly.

Under the Tube (Moon Island), Newcastle & Lake Macquarie — Dive Site | YouDive Australia