Diving

• Home to some of the best temperate diving in the world.
• Diverse and easily accessible underwater wilderness.
• You can explore the kelp forests of the Southern Ocean.
  

The spectacular coastline and clear, cool-temperate waters are superb for diving in Tasmania. The visibility ranges from 12 metres (13 yards) in the summer to 40 metres (43.5 yards) or more in the winter.

Tasmanian waters are home to a host of unique marine animals and plants. To help you explore the giant kelp forests, sponge gardens and caves or find sea dragons and our amazing invertebrates, check out the Tasmania's Dive Trail. It lists the best sites along Tasmania’s east coast between Flinders Island and Bruny Island.

You can scuba dive in the clear waters of Tasmania's Bay of Fires, weave your way through an impressive kelp forest on the Tasman Peninsula or explore a shipwreck off Flinders Island. Tasmania is well known for its many shipwreck sites, which provide fascinating insight into Australia's maritime history. Search out handfish and rare species such as the weedy sea dragon.

If you’re not a diver already, Tasmania is a great place to take the plunge and learn. Diving courses are available as well as guided charters, gear hire and diving packages.

You will find hundreds of sites along our 5,400 kilometres (2,796 miles) of coastline, and experiences for both beginners and advanced divers. At Tinderbox in Tasmania's south, you can follow underwater trails which are ideal for snorkelers and first-time divers.

The Tasman Peninsula offers spectacular dive sites as well, ranging from vast kelp forests through to brilliant caves and canyons at Waterfall Bay. More experienced divers will enjoy the Hippolyte Rock site where you can dive amongst a colony of Australian Fur Seals, although depth and strong currents do limit this area to divers with extensive experience.

One of Tasmania's prime sites is the Troy D, a 55 metre (181 foot) former Hopper Barge, an artificial reef, scuttled off the north-west tip of Maria Island on Tasmania's east coast. This coastline also boasts the highly popular dive sites off Bicheno including Paradise Reef with its plentiful sea whips and finger sponges as well as the Golden Bommies, a most rewarding deeper dive.

Find out about water temperature, the best time to dive and where.

The Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve is approximately 20 minutes’ drive south of Hobart. Just over an hours’ drive from Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula is a haven for divers with unique rock formations and kelp forests in Fortescue Bay rising 25-metres to the surface.

Some of the east coast’s best diving opportunities can be found in the Maria Island Marine National Park. Maria Island is located just off the east coast, adjacent to the town of Orford, about an hours’ drive from Hobart. Bicheno is further up the east coast, approximately two hours' drive from Hobart.

Check out a 90 second video showing some of the amazing sealife and kelp forests.  Introduced by Ian Gordon, Marine Researcher and professional diver. It's also a good idea to check the marine conditions and tidal predictions in Tasmania before you dive.

There are regulations to ensure the ongoing environmental protection and conservation of marine environments in Tasmania. The local Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service office will have information about dive sites that require you to gain permission before diving.

Find out tips for environmentally sustainable diving and safety tips.

Diving, Marine and Weather Links
Tasmanian University Dive Club
Bicheno Dive Centre
Eaglehawk Dive Centre
Flinders Island Diving
Earth Dive (socially responsible diving)
Scuba Australia
Diving Australia
Tasmanian scuba diving information
Dive directory