Wollongong & Shellharbour · New South Wales

Bass Point

A rocky headland south of Wollongong with several entries and a protected reserve area.

Reef
beginner
intermediate

Bass Point near Shellharbour is the Illawarra's principal shore-diving location, with several entries including The Gutter, Bushrangers Bay and the Arch.

Bushrangers Bay is an aquatic reserve and the most sheltered of the entries, making it a common training site.

The terrain is temperate rocky reef with kelp, and the diving is noticeably quieter than comparable Sydney sites.

Grey nurse sharks, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

Max depth

20 m

typically 12 m

Access

shore & boat

Current

variable

Water temp

16–23°C

Level

intermediate

Depth range at Bass Point, against standard recreational training limits. Route selection and conditions change the actual profile.

Diving profile

Region	Wollongong & Shellharbour
State	New South Wales
Access	shore and boat
Site type	reef
Minimum depth	3 m
Typical depth	12 m
Maximum depth	20 m
Current	variable
Visibility	Commonly 8–20 m
Water temperature	Roughly 16–23°C
Experience level	beginner, intermediate

These are guidance categories, not guarantees. Conditions on the day, and an operator’s own requirements, override any classification here.

Marine life

eastern blue gropers
Port Jackson sharks seasonally
octopus
cuttlefish
rays
wobbegongs
nudibranchs

Access

Several shore entries, each with different swell tolerance.
Bushrangers Bay is the most sheltered.
Some entries involve rock scrambling.

Hazards

surge and swell
slippery rock entries
current at the point
difficult exits in swell

What you might see here

Species documented at this site, with seasonality and etiquette on each page.

Eastern Blue GroperNew South Wales' state fish — large, inquisitive and often the first thing to greet a Sydney shore diver.Port Jackson SharkA small, harmless, harness-marked shark that gathers in southern NSW winters to breed.

Operators servicing this site

Businesses documented as regularly diving this site. Only operators we have established a connection for are listed.

Shellharbour ScubaA Shellharbour operation serving the Illawarra diving community, with access to Bass Point and local reef diving.

Training that is genuinely useful here

Not a list of everything available — the qualifications that actually change what you can do at this site.

Open Water DiverThe entry-level certification that allows independent recreational diving to around 18 metres.Advanced Open Water DiverFive guided specialty dives that extend depth to 30 metres and introduce navigation and other skills.Underwater NavigationFinding your way with a compass and natural references — essential for Australian shore diving.

Related dive sites

Worth reading alongside this one.

Jervis Bay WallsTemperate sponge-covered walls and drop-offs in some of the clearest water in NSW.Terrigal HavenA sheltered Central Coast shore entry used heavily for training and night diving.Bare IslandSydney's most-dived shore site — weedy seadragons, extraordinary macro life and multiple routes.

Dive sites nearby

Other documented sites within range, nearest first — useful for building a trip rather than a single dive.

Jervis Bay Walls · 59 kmTemperate sponge-covered walls and drop-offs in some of the clearest water in NSW.Kurnell · 71 kmA cluster of Botany Bay shore dives including The Steps and The Leap, with wall terrain.Bare Island · 73 kmSydney's most-dived shore site — weedy seadragons, extraordinary macro life and multiple routes.Gordons Bay · 82 kmAn Eastern Suburbs shore dive with a long-established underwater nature trail.Clovelly · 83 kmA sheltered concrete-lined channel giving Sydney's easiest entry into open water.Shelly Beach (Cabbage Tree Bay) · 95 kmSydney's most forgiving shore entry, inside a protected aquatic reserve at Manly.

Other dive businesses in the area

Not documented as servicing this site, but close enough to be useful for fills, hire or advice.

Dive Centre ManlyA Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.Frog Dive SydneyA long-established Sydney business associated with recreational and technical training alongside retail and workshop services.Abyss Scuba DivingA Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.Dive Centre BondiAn Eastern Suburbs operation providing recreational training, local diving and technical pathways.Geo DiversA Sydney diving operation. Current course range, agency and site access require verification.Pro Dive SydneyA Sydney training and retail operation serving the metropolitan recreational market.Pro Dive BrookvaleA Northern Beaches training and retail location serving local divers.ADRENO SydneyAn equipment retailer with a spearfishing and freediving emphasis alongside scuba equipment. Primarily retail rather than a training centre.

Location

Bass Point, Wollongong & Shellharbour, New South Wales.

Frequently asked questions

How deep is Bass Point?

Depths range from around 3 metres to roughly 20 metres, with a typical profile around 12 metres. Conditions and route selection change this considerably.

Is Bass Point suitable for beginners?

It can be, in reasonable conditions and with appropriate supervision. Conditions on the day matter more than certification level, and operators may impose their own requirements.

How do you get to Bass Point?

Access is shore and boat based. Several shore entries, each with different swell tolerance.

Is there current at Bass Point?

Current is recorded as variable. Conditions vary daily and should be checked close to the day.

What will I see at Bass Point?

Commonly reported marine life includes eastern blue gropers, Port Jackson sharks seasonally, octopus, cuttlefish, rays, wobbegongs. Sightings are never guaranteed.

When is the best time to dive Bass Point?

Conditions vary through the year. Visibility is commonly 8–20 m. Check with local operators close to your dates.

Where is Bass Point?

Bass Point is in the Wollongong & Shellharbour region of New South Wales.

Last researched: September 2026. Dive businesses change frequently — confirm current services, prices and requirements directly with the operator before booking.