Bass and Flinders Point, named for the explorers who sailed into Port Hacking in the Tom Thumb in 1796, marks the southern tip of the Cronulla peninsula. McFadyen calls it one of Sydney's easiest but still interesting dives – with the honest caveat that he has rarely returned since the early 1990s except for night dives or to see its famous baby sharks. The underwater topography is simple.

There is little reef: the rock platform drops quickly to the sand, and the reef edge is shallow, perhaps 3–4 m, and never more than about 5–6 m deep, extending only a few metres from the platform. The standard route follows the reef edge east. After about 30 m divers reach the remains of a car, a mid-1980s Ford, and beyond it the reef trends north-east and then north.

The sand is productive for small creatures: flathead, blue swimmer crabs, striped dumpling squid, sole and cuttlefish are common, and at night octopus and small rays come out. The real reason to visit is October. In early to mid-October the sand off the point fills with newly hatched Port Jackson sharks – McFadyen once counted well over 100 on one dive, each only about two fingers wide – spread across at least 50 m to the east and back north to the reef.

Timing varies year to year (in 2009 they were absent early in the month but present by the second week), so check recent reports. The site also forms the end of the Oak Park to Bass and Flinders drift. The steep walk back up Gowie Street after the dive is the main downside.

It suits beginners, night divers and anyone wanting to see baby sharks.

From Cronulla head south to Gowie Street, South Cronulla, and park as close to the southern end as you can. The old road down to the water is closed by Sutherland Shire Council, so walk down the road with your gear and then face a fairly steep hill back up after the dive. At the bottom, enter in the small bay to the left as you reach the end of the road – one of the easiest entries and exits in Sydney.

Pro Dive Cronulla is 5 minutes away for air.

The point sits at the Port Hacking entrance and is sheltered from southerly swell by Jibbon Point, but east and north-east swell can surge across the shallow reef edge. Being in the river mouth, visibility depends heavily on the tide and rain: dive on the incoming or high tide, and avoid it for several days after heavy rain when Port Hacking runs brown. Boat traffic in and out of Port Hacking is heavy on weekends.

Summer north-easterlies chop up the entrance in the afternoon.

Enter in the small bay and head east along the reef edge; after about 30 m you reach the remains of a mid-1980s Ford car. Continue east as the reef swings north-east then north. For baby sharks in October, head south-east for about five minutes then east for a minute onto the sand.

Turn at 30 minutes or 40% of your air.

Pro Dive Cronulla and St George Scuba Club run occasional night dives and October baby-shark dives; otherwise independent shore divers.