Meet the site
Waubs Bay, often just called The Bay, is the main shore dive at Bicheno and one of the easiest good dives on the Tasmanian east coast. Michael McFadyen describes it as having an excellent entry and exit point, with the rock sloping gently back to shore, and recommends a minimum of an hour underwater. The dive follows the edge where the sand meets the reef and kelp, starting at about 7 m and gradually deepening past 15 m.
Along the route are several bommies, at about 10 m and 13 m, and a large split bommie known as The Rock at about 15 m. The sand edge is the place for rays: stingrays, bull rays, eagle rays and banded stingarees are all recorded, and Indo Pacific Images lists weedy seadragons, scorpionfish, cuttlefish and crabs. McFadyen found large pot-bellied seahorses, over 200 mm long and yellow with black spots, in the kelp, along with cowfish, squid, schools of trevally, bream, starfish, sponges and anemones.
The Spirit of Tasmania guide mentions six shore dives around Waubs Bay, and older guides name several shore sites around the bay - The Rock, Cray Tubes, Blue Waters, Souvenir Shells, Suntrap and Rice Pebble - although these are not documented separately. The core dive from the breakwater covers the best of them.
The Bay suits every level of diver and is the usual final dive of a club weekend in Bicheno. It is also an excellent night dive. Divers should note that the Gulch, the channel next to the breakwater used by boats, is off-limits for swimming and diving under the Governor Island reserve rules because of currents and boat traffic, so keep to the bay side.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Waubs Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Tasmania East Coast. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Waubs Bay 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 Waubs Bay 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
Pot-bellied seahorse, weedy seadragon, stingrays, bull rays, eagle rays, banded stingaree, cowfish, squid, cuttlefish, trevally, bream, scorpionfish, crabs, starfish, sponges, anemones, kelp
Location
Shore dive from the old harbour breakwater along the sand-reef edge of Waubs Bay, Bicheno, with bommies at 10-15 m including a large split bommie known as The Rock.
Facilities nearby
Parking at the old harbour/breakwater; public toilets and a hot outdoor shower at the foreshore area near the Gulch; cafes, bakery and supermarket in town. No confirmed air-fill station in Bicheno - bring filled cylinders from Launceston 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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infoindopacificimages.commudgeediveandtravel.comspiritoftasmania.com.auparks.tas.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.