Explore Hobart
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, the southernmost state of Australia. Hobart is the smallest state capital in Australia, despite being the biggest island in the country. Much of the region is wild and uninhabited and much of the diving infrastructure is based in the area surrounding Hobart.
The diving in Tasmania is well established but definitely not overpopulated. There are only a few dive centres with which to dive and complete dive courses. Though several offer accomodation, none can technically be considered dive resorts. There are no liveaboards operating here due to the tempestuous southern ocean conditions.
Hobart diving is varied and will delight new and experienced divers alike. There are wrecks, like the SS Nord which is over 100 years old. Cathedral Cave offers the biggest cave diving system in Australia, with accessibility even for beginner divers. Highlights of marine life encounters include the beautiful weedy sea dragons and the playful fur seals.
Top Hobart Dive Sites
1. Waterfall Bay – Cathedral Cave
Explore Australia’s largest sea cave system, where sunlight filters through dramatic caverns. Suitable for intermediate to advanced scuba divers, this 21m-deep site is perfect for photography. Other nearby formations include Bullseye Chapel, The Catacombs, and The Aisles, each rich with sponge gardens and marine life.
2. SS Nord
Lying between 35–42m, this historical wreck from 1915 is best for advanced technical divers. The largely intact steamer still holds visible fixtures like mah-jong tiles on the seabed. Nitrox is recommended to extend bottom time at this deep-water site.
3. The Hippolytes
These striking volcanic spires feature vibrant swim-throughs and are teeming with marine life. A resident seal colony often interacts playfully with divers. Best for intermediate divers, this scuba-only site is a favorite for its rich biodiversity and thrilling encounters.
4. Fortescue Bay
An ideal shore dive for beginner and intermediate divers, this site hosts a towering kelp forest, with fronds stretching up to 20m. The rocky bottom is home to crayfish, abalone, and various temperate fish species. Freediving is also possible here.
5. Sisters’ Rocks
Located 12 km off Pirate’s Bay, this site offers depths of 10–45m and is best suited for advanced divers. The walls are blanketed in glowing yellow zoanthids, giving the appearance of a vertical meadow. Schools of reef fish and sponges thrive here year-round.
