Meet the site
The offshore reefs and pinnacles scattered 2 to 8 km off Yamba and Angourie form the main dive ground for the only dedicated dive centre between Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour, and while none of the individual pinnacles here carry the fame of Julian Rocks or the Solitary Islands, together they offer solid, uncrowded reef diving with a genuine chance of grey nurse sharks through the cooler months. The reefs rise from a sand bottom around 30 m to peaks as shallow as 12 m, a scale that puts the deeper sections within Advanced Open Water range while leaving plenty of structure accessible to less experienced divers on the shallower pinnacles. Marine life reflects the same subtropical mix found up and down this coast: kingfish and mulloway school over the structure, wobbegong sharks lie in the ledges, turtles move between resting spots, and bull rays and snapper work the sand around the base of the pinnacles. From roughly May to October, grey nurse sharks are a realistic prospect on the deeper faces, part of the same loose chain of aggregation sites that runs from the Tweed/Gold Coast border down through Ballina and Yamba to the internationally significant grey nurse habitat at the Solitary Islands further south. Because Yamba has just the one dive operator and no marquee single-site reputation to draw international crowds, these reefs see a fraction of the diver traffic of Julian Rocks or South Solitary Island, which suits divers looking for a quieter, more exploratory day out. The main practical hurdle is the Clarence River bar: although well engineered with training walls and generally more reliable than many North Coast river bars, it still requires respect in a big swell or a strong outgoing tide, and trips are planned around both the bar and the offshore sea state. For divers travelling the length of the Far North Coast, a day with Yamba Dive on these reefs is a worthwhile, lower-key alternative to the more famous sites either 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.
Yamba – Pinnacle / Freeburn Island reefs is recorded as Reef in Yamba & Iluka. The listed access is 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Yamba – Pinnacle / Freeburn Island reefs suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Yamba – Pinnacle / Freeburn Island reefs 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
Grey nurse sharks (seasonal), kingfish, mulloway, wobbegongs, turtles, bull rays, snapper, nudibranchs
Location
Rocky reefs and pinnacles 2-8 km off Yamba and Angourie, south of the Clarence River mouth, reached by charter from Yamba marina — the main offshore dive grounds for the Yamba/Iluka area.
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.