Bird Rock is the classic moderate-depth dive at Bicheno and a good introduction to the Governor Island area. It is a cluster of large granite boulders that form cracks, small caves and swim-throughs in 8-20 m, and it is divided by locals into three named areas: The Elbow, a crevice; the T Cave, a T-shaped passage; and The Ballroom, a low cavern about 1 m high whose ceiling and walls are covered in jewel anemones.

The site is best known for small life. The Marine Life Network guide says it has many species of nudibranchs and recommends it for sea spider hunting, and the Combined Clubs guide agrees that it is excellent for both. Jewel anemones and yellow anemones cover shaded faces, sea whips grow on the deeper boulders, and kelp beds fill the gaps between the rocks. Butterfly perch and banded morwong are always present, and wrasse, leatherjackets and cowfish are common.

The Scuba Chronicles description gives a deeper profile, with crevices extending 15 m upward and a network of swim-throughs down to around 30 m, which probably reflects the seaward edge of the reef. Most dives stay in the 12-18 m range, where there is the most to see and bottom times of 45-60 minutes are possible.

Bird Rock suits Open Water divers with some cold-water experience, photographers with macro lenses and anyone who wants a long, relaxed dive after a deep first dive on the Governor Island walls. The swim-throughs are short and open but should be avoided in surge. Note that there is a separate Bird Rock off Maria Island.

Bicheno is on the Tasman Highway (A3), about 2 hr 15 min (180 km) from Hobart and 2 hr (160 km) from Launceston. Boats launch from the small ramp at The Gulch (Waubs Gulch), the narrow channel between Governor Island and the town foreshore off Esplanade; there is trailer parking beside the ramp and fishing co-op. The Governor Island sites are only 2-5 minutes' run out of the Gulch.

Tasmanian boat diving is almost always done as a live-boat drop and pick-up rather than at anchor. Bird Rock is a short run out of the Gulch past Governor Island, 3-5 minutes by boat. It is the usual shallower second dive of a Bicheno boat day.

The Governor Island sites face east into the Tasman Sea, so easterly and north-easterly swell over about 1.5 m, or a fresh easterly/north-easterly sea breeze, makes them rough and surgy and can close the Gulch entrance. Westerly and north-westerly winds blow offshore and give the flattest seas; southerly swell wraps in and stirs the bottom, and a big southerly can drop visibility under 2 m for days. Winter (June-September) usually brings the clearest water (20-30 m) and most settled westerly weather; summer afternoons are often spoiled by the NE sea breeze, so dive mornings.

As a shallower site Bird Rock feels surge more than the deep walls; it is best with easterly swell under about 1 m.

Descend next to the rock and visit the three named features in turn: The Elbow (a crevice), the T Cave and The Ballroom, a 1 m-high cavern lined with jewel anemones. Work slowly through the kelp beds between them looking for nudibranchs and sea spiders, and finish with a safety stop in the kelp.

No confirmed full-time commercial dive operator in Bicheno as of 2026: the long-running Bicheno Dive Centre was reported closed (Michael McFadyen) although some tourism pages still list it - verify before travelling. Sites are dived by club boats (Tas Uni Dive Club, Tasmanian Scuba Diving Club, Leven Scuba Club), the annual Combined Clubs Weekend each June, and occasional trips from Launceston (Tasmanian Divers) and Hobart (Go Dive Tasmania) shops.