Meet the site
Yowie Point is the western point of Yowie Bay, one of the arms on the northern side of Port Hacking, and it offers a sheltered estuary reef dive for days when the ocean is closed. The bottom starts as sand and silt in the shallows and becomes silt deeper, sloping from shore to about 5 m, where rocks and ledges begin. A second drop reaches 12–14 m with more rocks, a couple of ledges and some very large boulders. Along the shoreline the rocky zones are full of small walls, ledges, overhangs and cracks, well worth a slow look. Fixed life is modest but interesting for an estuary – very small sponges, gorgonians and other growth on the rocks – and red and orange sea cucumbers dot the silt. Fish include octopus, small bream, whiting and surgeonfish, and there are numerous small leatherjackets, mostly fan-bellied and pygmy. Because the site is not far from Lilli Pilli, where White's seahorses abound, seahorses are possible on the seagrass and rocks. The standard route follows the shoreline south-south-west for about 20 minutes, turns the corner into Yowie Bay heading north-east and returns shallower at 6–9 m. Current matters: with no current or an eastward flow towards the ocean, stay deeper. The foreshore is residential, so access is by boat only, anchoring in 5–10 m west of the point. It suits Open Water divers, trainees and anyone with a boat wanting a relaxed, sheltered dive with small creatures, and it is a good alternative to crowded Shiprock or Lilli Pilli.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Yowie Point (Port Hacking) is recorded as Reef in Sydney South & Botany Bay. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
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 Yowie Point (Port Hacking) 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 Yowie Point (Port Hacking) 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
Octopus, bream, whiting, surgeonfish, fan-bellied and pygmy leatherjackets, red/orange sea cucumbers, small sponges and gorgonians, White's seahorse (possible)
Location
Estuary boat dive off the western point of Yowie Bay in Port Hacking; silty slope with rocks, ledges and large boulders from 5 to 14 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure only: Yowie Bay (Wonga Road), Lilli Pilli or Gunnamatta Bay ramps; air/nitrox at Pro Dive Cronulla (Gerrale Street, Cronulla) and Abyss (Ramsgate).
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.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
