The Bass Point Gravel Loader is a long jetty built to load crushed rock from the Bass Point quarry onto ships. It extends about 150 m from the northern shore of the point on steel-reinforced concrete pylons, and although it still stands above water it appears to have been out of use for many years. Underwater the pylons, girders and fallen, twisted steel create an artificial reef in 2–12 m, with most of the diving at 4–5 m – ideal for long, shallow dives and night dives. A memorial plaque to a diver is fixed to the structure.

Since December 2016 the loader has become famous for grey nurse sharks. A group of mostly female and juvenile male sharks has taken up residence around the end of the structure, and McFadyen suggests the site functions as a nursery. Seeing a critically endangered shark this reliably from a shallow, protected shore dive is unusual anywhere in Australia, and the site now draws divers from Sydney most weekends. Divers must follow the grey nurse shark code: stay low, do not block their path, do not touch or feed them.

The structure also supports a rich community of smaller life. Red morwong, striped seapike, leatherjackets and bream swarm around the pylons, giant cuttlefish and squid are common, and the weed and debris hide nudibranchs and pipefish. Blue groper are frequent visitors. Because it is protected from southerly weather and so shallow, the loader is an excellent second dive after the deeper Gutter or a boat dive, and one of the best night dives on the NSW coast.

From Sydney take the M1/Princes Motorway south past Wollongong (about 105 km, 1.5 hours), take the Shellharbour exit and follow Shellharbour Road to the Shellharbour Workers Club, then turn right onto Boollwarroo Parade into Bass Point Reserve. The best parking and gear-up area is on the eastern side of the loader, near the old boat ramp (the western gate has been blocked with boulders since 2005). From the ramp snorkel about 30 m out towards the middle of the loader and descend on a bearing towards the structure.

On total fire ban days the reserve gate may be locked, meaning a longer walk in from outside.

The northern (Shellharbour-facing) side of Bass Point is protected from southerly winds and swell – even gale-force southerlies – which makes it the Illawarra's reliable shore-diving fallback. It is blown out by north-east swell over about 1 m and by strong nor'easters, which are common on summer afternoons, so summer dives are best done in the morning. Tide is not critical but high tide makes entries and exits over the rock platform easier.

Visibility ranges from 5 m after swell or rain to 15–20 m in winter westerly spells. The reserve gate may be closed on total fire ban days. The loader is fully protected from southerly conditions and makes an excellent night dive.

Snorkel out from the old boat ramp, descend beside the middle of the loader and work out along the pylons to the seaward end at 10–12 m, where the grey nurse sharks usually gather. Keep low and to one side of the sharks rather than blocking their path. Return along the other side of the structure, exploring the fallen girders for macro life. 40–60+ minutes is easily achieved.

Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre runs guided shore dives and training at Bass Point most weekends and regular social dives; United Divers (Wollongong) and many Sydney clubs and dive shops also bring groups. The Gravel Loader is one of Shellharbour Scuba's three core sites and a favourite night dive.