North
Dive Sites
The Avon
George Town
The Avon is a tugboat that was abandoned in York Cove after running aground at Low Head in 2012 and ended up taking in water and sinking. It now rests at around 17-18m deep and makes for a great local shore dive.
The Avon currently rests on its side with much of the superstructure collapsed, it has shifted a couple of times in the last few years, while it seems to have settled permanently, it is important to be careful when entering any overhead environment.
The typical marine life seen at this site includes seahorses, wrasse, old wives, leatherjackets and a whole heap more.
Visibility
8 – 10 metres
Water Temperature
12 – 16 ºC
Depending on the time of year
Depth
18 metres
Entry Point (-41.11294, 146.8239)
Typically, divers park at the end of Esplanade S and kit up there, then proceed NW, entering the water along the fence. Right image shows arrow at common entry point. Satellite image is at low tide, concrete block at the end of the fence will be underwater at high tide.
Directions
After entering the water, continue down to a depth of approximately 17m at high tide, turning right and keeping the slope of the channel on your right. Continue in this direction, staying close to the bottom at 17m on the slope and you should come across the wreck after a gentle 10min swim.
When to Dive
It is recommended to dive this site at high tide for best visibility and minimal water movement.
Recommended Certification
The Monument
George Town
The Monument provides an abundance of life typical of the Tamar. Seahorses, soft sponge growth, cuttlefish, octopus and a whole heap more.
While the Tamar isn't known for it's great visibility, if you take a torch down with you to bring some light to your surroundings, you would be amazed at the colour and variety of life down there.
There are multiple ways of diving this site, ranging from 15m to 40m and beyond!
Visibility
8 – 10 metres
Water Temperature
12 – 16 ºC
Depending on the time of year
Depth
15 - 40+ metres
Entry Point (-41.109701, 146.817856)
The monument provides easy parking and access. With parking at Paterson Monument, divers usually kit up in the car park, and proceed to the entry point for easy entry at high tide.
Directions
There are multiple dive profiles possible at this site, with plenty to see within 15m, with the possibility to go to 40m (if you have the appropriate training and experience to do so.)
A popular dive profile takes you down to 30m. This can be done by taking a bearing for the Southern end of Garden Island from the entry point, proceeding in that direction til you reach 20m. At this point it is quite barren but if you continue in this direction for a further 15-20mins you will come to a wall that drops off to beyond 30m. On the wall you will find an abundance of soft sponge growth and marine critters. Seahorses are seen here quite regularly if you keep an eye out.
When to Dive
It is recommended to dive this site at high tide for best visibility and minimal water movement.
Recommended Certification
Kelso
Kelso
Another easy northern shore dive, Kelso is a great dive to see plenty of soft sponges, an abundance of seahorses (if you can spot them!) as well as a large diversity of marine life typical of the Tamar.
It is a nice easy shore entry, suitable for Open Water Divers, but can also reach depths of 30m for those with their Advanced tickets who want to go deeper.
Visibility
8 – 10 metres
Water Temperature
12 – 16 ºC
Depending on the time of year
Depth
15 - 40+ metres
Southern Cross Reef
This often ignored dive sport is truly the secret of the East coast. Heading out from the old Bridport boat ramp on a glorius, windless and sunny Sunday we locate the reef at -40.950113527277786, 147.4281147230324 around 10minutes to start. Maximum depth is 18m with most interesting critters spotted around the 12m mark, water temp sitting at a nice 14℃ and vis of around 5m.
The first thing I notice is the abundance and variety of life swimming by, not only this, but the marine life is curious about what i'm doing. Just some of the cuties we encountered were Nudibranchs, Blue throated wressels, Snapper, Rays and Sea stars.
There is also an much shorie fun to be had at the old pier with many critters making there home there, great for the kids or non divers as well.
Photos and description contributed by Mim Schulz