Blackman Reef is a natural breakwater under the Burnie wharf, reached from the West Beach Reserve. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 5 out of 10: a flat rock dome about the size of a football field in 5 m, extending seaward, with better diving on the western fringe in 7-10 m. Sponges, ascidians and lace bryozoans cover the rock, short Macrocystis kelp grows on the reef, wrasse and leatherjackets are common, and the north-western outcrops hold magpie perch and other Bass Strait fish. The Leven Scuba Club describes a shallow reef extending about 300 m from shore with good invertebrate life.

Burnie is a busy shipping port, and divers must avoid interfering with ships. The reef top is an easy snorkel, while the deeper sections need fitness and air management. Local knowledge from Leven Scuba Club members is the best way to get the most out of it, and first-time visitors should ideally dive it with someone who knows the site and the tide.

The central north coast between Wynyard and Port Sorell is the home water of the Leven Scuba Club at Ulverstone, whose site list is the main modern source for it, supplemented by the older Marine Life Network guide. The towns of Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport sit right on the coast, so many sites are within minutes of a ramp or car park, but the reefs are generally low and weedy, visibility is often 5-10 m, and the coast is open to Bass Strait's northerly and westerly weather.

Devonport is the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, which makes these sites the first and last dives for many interstate visitors bringing their own gear. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the north - the nearest is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 3.5 hours' drive - so dive conservatively, especially on the deeper offshore sites.

Burnie is on the Bass Highway 40 minutes west of Devonport. Park at the West Beach Reserve car park at the eastern end of West Beach, next to the Surf Life Saving Club (change rooms nearby), and enter from the beach onto the reef. The prettiest section is about 300 m offshore, so plan air for the swim back.

From the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Devonport, all central north-coast sites are within about an hour's drive along the Bass Highway. North-coast ramps are often shallow and weedy at low tide, so time launches for mid to high tide and carry a sounder, radio and tide tables.

The north-west coast faces Bass Strait: north-westerly to north-easterly winds and westerly swell make it rough, while southerly winds blow offshore and give flat seas - light airs and sunny days are relatively common from January to April. Easterly gales are common in the warmer months and close the eastern faces of Rocky Cape and Sisters Island. Tidal streams run along the coast (eastward on the flood), and several boat sites are only comfortable around slack water.

Protected from westerlies by the port; exposed to northerly and easterly swell.

Snorkel or swim out over the reef-top dome at 5 m, then drop to the western fringe at 7-10 m and follow it seaward towards the north-western outcrops, turning with enough air for the return. Turn at a third of gas to allow for the swim back and a possibly harder exit, finish with a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m if the depth allows, and exit where you entered unless an alternative exit has been checked beforehand.

No confirmed commercial dive operator on the north-west coast as of 2026 (older guides mention dive services in Wynyard and Devonport - verify). Sites are dived mainly by the Leven Scuba Club (Ulverstone), other north-west club members and visiting divers with their own boats; Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) runs occasional northern trips.