Bird Rock is one of Port Macquarie's most approachable boat dives, a partly surface-breaking rock formation — visibly marked by the seabirds that give it its name — with a maximum depth of just thirteen metres that makes it ideally suited to newly certified divers and a natural choice for check-out and confidence-building dives. The standard route is a straightforward circumnavigation of the rock's base, giving divers a complete, easily navigated loop with abundant and varied marine life along the way, while more experienced divers can extend the dive with a shallower 'fly-over' pass across the top of the formation for a different perspective and a look at the marine life using the shallower ledges. The site's abundant and varied fish and invertebrate life reflects its position within the general Port Macquarie nearshore reef system, supporting typical mid-north-coast temperate and subtropical species without being built around one particular signature animal or feature.

Its shallow depth allows generous bottom times, often extending well past the fifty-minute mark, and its accessibility close to Port Macquarie's Town Wharf makes it a convenient, low-commitment dive that Scuba Haven includes regularly in its rotation. Bird Rock works well both as a stand-alone easy dive and as part of a two-dive day paired with a deeper or more demanding site such as the Cod Hole, giving visiting divers a good sense of the range of diving available close to Port Macquarie township. Its forgiving profile also makes it a sensible choice for a warm-up dive before tackling one of the area's deeper or more current-affected sites later the same day.

Boat departing Port Macquarie's Town Wharf, a short run of around 10-15 minutes to the site.

This stretch of coast is exposed to easterly and south-easterly swell with limited natural shelter; charters want under about 1.5 m swell and moderate wind to run safely. Visibility is best in autumn and early winter after a run of settled weather and drops noticeably after East Coast Lows and river flood outflows.

Descend onto the rock and follow its base around in a full circumnavigation, staying shallow (4-13 m) for an easy, beginner-friendly dive, or, for more experienced divers, extend the route with a deeper 'fly-over' pass across the top of the rock before returning to the mooring.

Scuba Haven (Port Macquarie) — regular boat dives, year-round, weather permitting.