Meet the site
Wonboyn is a small village on Wonboyn Lake, at the southern edge of Beowa National Park and next to Nadgee Nature Reserve, about 40 minutes' drive south of Eden. For divers its importance is as a launching point: McFadyen recommends it for small boats heading to the Green Cape wrecks (Ly-ee-Moon, City of Sydney and New Guinea), because it is much closer than Eden. But the lake, river and bar are very shallow, and boats can only get to sea within about two hours either side of high tide. He suggests a high tide of about 1.8 m between 9 am and noon, so the bar can be crossed at 7–10 am, and no southerly swell.
The entrance has sand, weed and seagrass, with tidal flow bringing in clear water on the flood. Expect bream, luderick, whiting, flathead, mullet and leatherjackets, with stingrays on the sand and possibly pipefish and seahorses in the weed. Wonboyn Beach faces Disaster Bay and gets surf.
Wonboyn suits divers planning Green Cape trips and snorkellers who want an easy tidal swim. The bar is hazardous, and anyone launching a boat should get local advice and watch the conditions carefully. The village has a general store, cabins and camping nearby. Booking ahead is wise in holiday periods, and fuel should be topped up in Eden. The lake itself is popular for fishing and kayaking.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Wonboyn is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Eden & Green Cape. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Wonboyn suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Wonboyn 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
Bream, luderick, whiting, flathead, mullet, leatherjackets, stingrays, pipefish, seahorses (possible), seagrass
Location
Small village on Wonboyn Lake at the southern edge of Beowa National Park, the launching point for small boats to Disaster Bay and the Green Cape wrecks; the lake entrance offers tidal snorkelling in calm conditions.
Facilities nearby
Boat ramp, general store, cabins; nearest dive services Eden.
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.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.