Bay of Fires Dive About Us

Dive Site Sampler

St Helens Island

A large rocky island approx. 2kms off shore and 20mins south from the boat ramp. Diving varies form gently sloping reef onto sand at 20metres , to vertical rock columns that plummet to 30+metres.

Merricks Reef

A large oceanic reef complex approx. 3kms off shore. Its’ top rises to within 5metres from the surface and plunges down to 40+metres around the edges. This is true ‘canyon country’, where big pelagic fish such as tuna, marlin and the occasional mako shark are seen. Dolphins are regular visitors and migrating whales are also known to cruise past here. Because of its’ exposed location, this action packed dive is for advanced divers only.

Elephant Rock

A large exposed rock approx. 500m off shore and approx. 10mins south of the boat ramp. Always provides good diving in all but the worst easterly winds. A series of steps, formed by large boulders, drops down from 10metres to 30+metres. There is prolific fish life amongst the sand gutters, caves and swimthroughs.

Sloop Rock

This is another exposed rock structure just off shore from Seaton’s Cove, approx. 10mins north of the boat ramp. It is easily recognised by its’ distinctive ‘phallic’ shape. The shallows close to the rock are covered in a thick kelp forest which hides crayfish, abalone and a myriad of fish life. The inshore side slopes gently to a sandy bottom at approx. 15metres. The ocean side drops away to approx. 25+metres. Dolphins are regular visitors here.

Skeleton Bay

A small bay south of Binalong Bay, and approx. 5mins from the boat ramp. This beautiful little bay is perfect for a lunch stop/surface interval and a second dive. It consists of several rocky reef bommies that support healthy fish and fixed marine life populations. Depths are generally no more than 15metres. There is also a small population of weedy seadragons amongst the kelp on some of the bommies. Dolphins are also regular visitors during surface intervals and occasionally stay around during a dive.

Binalong Bay Gulches

For those who want an easy shore based dive, the Gulches are for you. Simply park in the car park overlooking the Gulches, gear up and walk down to the beach entry/exit point. The gulch itself is a protected, rock fringed sand gutter approx. 100m in length and 4-5m deep. A short swim through a thick kelp curtain at the far end takes you out onto a series of rocky bommies in 10metres of water. Here amongst the boulders, caves and swimthroughs you will find crayfish, abalone, octopus and lots of fish and other fixed marine life. To finish your dive, simply swim back through the kelp into the gulch and exit onto the beach.