Tasmania's reefs are colder and wilder than the tropics, with kelp, sponge gardens, sea caves and seals instead of coral. This guide maps 18 snorkel and dive sites around Tasmania and its Bass Strait islands, with what makes each one worth the cold.
Where are the best snorkel and dive sites in Tasmania?
Most of the diving is on the east coast around Bicheno, where the Governor Island Marine Reserve has more than 35 dive sites a short boat ride from town. The Tasman Peninsula near Eaglehawk Neck has sea caves, sponge walls and seals. Around Hobart there are sheltered reserves for beginners, and the remote Bass Strait and south-west belong to boat trips: the Kent Group and Port Davey.
- Governor Island Marine Reserve, BichenoBoat · intermediate One of the best temperate dive areas in Australia.
- Tinderbox Marine ReserveShore · beginner Sheltered water near Hobart, with sandstone reefs.
- Golden Bommies, BichenoBoat · intermediate Granite boulders covered in sponges and sea whips.
- Magic Garden, BichenoBoat · intermediate A colourful sponge garden inside the marine reserve.
- Cathedral Cave, Tasman PeninsulaBoat · intermediate Part of Australia's largest sea-cave system.
- Sisters RocksBoat · intermediate A wall dive with a dense sponge garden.
- Troy D Wreck, Maria IslandBoat · intermediate A ship scuttled in 2007, known for its cuttlefish.
- SS NordBoat · advanced A steamer wrecked in 1915, lying at about 42 metres.
- Hippolyte RocksBoat · advanced Exposed rocks with fur seals and deep, wild walls.
- Kent Group (Bulli & Karitane wrecks)Boat · advanced Remote Bass Strait islands with shallow steamship wrecks.
- Maria Island Marine ReserveShore · beginner Clear water off Darlington, reached by ferry.
- Ninepin Point Marine ReserveShore · intermediate Dark tannin water that brings sea fans into the shallows.
- Canoe Bay, Fortescue BayShore · beginner A quiet bay around a dredge scuttled in 1953.
- Waubs Bay, BichenoShore · beginner A sheltered town beach with granite and kelp.
- Honeymoon Bay, FreycinetShore · beginner A small, calm bay below the granite Hazards.
- Eaglehawk Neck kelp reefsShore · intermediate Rocky reef and weed where weedy seadragons live.
- Ile des PhoquesBoat · advanced A granite island with fur seals and sea caves.
- Port Davey Marine ReserveRemote · advanced Tannin-dark wilderness water in the far south-west.
Which coast of Tasmania is best for snorkelling?
For most visitors it is the east coast. It sits in the lee of the island when the westerlies blow, while the west coast takes the full force of the Southern Ocean. Visibility can reach beyond 30 metres and is usually best in winter, when the water is coldest. In summer the water is warmer, but plankton can cloud it. Around Hobart, Tinderbox and Ninepin Point are sheltered options on most days.
A simple rule: check the wind forecast, then snorkel on the side of the coast facing away from it. Mornings are calmer everywhere.
What are the best snorkel spots in Tasmania for beginners?
Tinderbox Marine Reserve (2) is the classic. It lies just south of Hobart, where sheltered water and sandstone reefs make it the place locals practise snorkelling, diving and kayaking. Look for urchins, abalone, rock lobster and fish among the weed. Wear a thick wetsuit with a hood: Tasmanian water is cold even in summer.
On the east coast, Maria Island Marine Reserve (11) is a short walk from the Darlington ferry jetty, with clear water and plenty of fish; ferries from Triabunna must be booked. In Freycinet National Park, Honeymoon Bay (15) is a small, calm bay below the Hazards. In Bicheno, Waubs Bay (14) is a sheltered town beach, so it stays calm on most days.
Where do you dive on the Tasman Peninsula?
The Tasman Peninsula has some of the most dramatic diving in Australia. Cathedral Cave (5) is part of the largest sea-cave system in the country, a maze of chambers and swim-throughs lined with sponges and anemones; good buoyancy is a must. Sisters Rocks (6) is a wall dive with a famous sponge garden, and the kelp reefs (16) near Eaglehawk Neck are home to weedy seadragons.
At Canoe Bay (13), off Fortescue Bay, the dredge William Pitt was scuttled in 1953 as a breakwater and makes an easy snorkel. Giant kelp has been gone from Eaglehawk Neck since 2016, part of the loss of about 95% of the east coast's giant kelp.
What are the best dives on the east coast?
Most boat dives leave from Bicheno and stay in the Governor Island Marine Reserve (1). Golden Bommies (3) is the signature dive: granite boulders covered in sponges, sea whips and fish. Magic Garden (4) is another colourful sponge reef. The waters can be challenging, so go with a local guide. Off Maria Island, the Troy D (7), scuttled in 2007, is a wreck known for cuttlefish.
Further south, the SS Nord (8) is a steamer that sank off the Tasman Peninsula in 1915 and lies at about 42 metres, a deep dive for experienced divers. Hippolyte Rocks (9) is among the best and toughest dives in the state, where fur seals rest, and off Freycinet, Ile des Phoques (17) is a granite island with seals and sea caves.
Can you dive the Kent Group and Port Davey?
Yes, by boat, in good weather. The Kent Group (10) is a cluster of five granite islands in Bass Strait, reached only by boat or by very experienced sea kayakers. The water is clear, the reef life is rich, and the steamship wrecks Bulli and Karitane lie in shallow water. The western half of the reserve is no-take, the eastern half is restricted-take, and the crossings only run when Bass Strait is calm.
Port Davey (18) lies in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with dark tannin water and no diving in some zones. Book with an operator that runs the trip regularly, and expect cancellations when the wind picks up.
For rip currents, warning signs and cold water, read our guide to ocean safety in Australia, and see the Tasmania region guide for where to base yourself.
Facts checked October 2026. Rules, fees and conditions change, so check with the operator, park or lifeguard before you go.
