Crocodile Head Gorge is a deep and dramatic site a short distance out from the northern side of Crocodile Head, below cliffs that rise more than 100 m vertically from the sea. The reef top is at about 30 m. From there the bottom drops to 35–40 m within 10–20 m horizontally and then into a gorge with sheer walls and a floor below 50 m, reaching 53–55 m as it runs east towards the sea. The walls narrow towards a dead end that McFadyen likens to the box canyons of old westerns, where the cowboys are cornered in a dead-end gully.

The gorge's fixed fauna is exceptional: sponges, sea whips, sea tulips, gorgonians and ascidians crowd the walls in the deeper, darker water. Eastern blue devilfish, black reef and six-spined leatherjackets, wobbegongs and rays are resident, and kingfish occasionally pass in the open water above. The sand-and-boulder floor adds scale to the walls. The kelp-covered reef top itself holds little interest; the dive is all about the gorge.

This is a deep dive requiring deep-diving training and experience at a minimum, and realistically technical training for anything beyond a brief look over the edge. Narcosis on air at 50 m is significant, no-deco time is minimal, currents occasionally run and anchor holding is poor, so the boat and anchor plan need care. Divers on trimix with decompression gases will get the most from it. For suitably qualified teams it is one of the most atmospheric deep sites in Jervis Bay.

Charters depart Huskisson (Dive Jervis Bay; boats in Currambene Creek). Private boats launch at Huskisson, Callala Bay or Murrays Beach (Booderee), or at Currarong's ocean ramp. From Huskisson cross the bay to the entrance and turn north around Point Perpendicular onto the outside of the Beecroft Peninsula; go to the northern side of Crocodile Head (about 30 minutes from Huskisson) and head out to sea 100–150 m, using the sounder to find the reef top at about 30 m and the drop into the gorge.

Holding is poor; place the anchor carefully on the reef top.

The outer Beecroft Peninsula cliffs face east to south-east and take the full force of any south-easterly or easterly swell; the sites are diveable in swell under about 1.5 m and are well sheltered from south-westerly and westerly winds, which make them the go-to sites in winter. North-easterly winds (common on summer afternoons) make the run from Huskisson across the bay entrance rough and cause surge on the northern-facing cliffs. Visibility is commonly 15–25 m and can reach 30 m in winter when clear oceanic water sits against the peninsula.

Currents along the cliffs are usually mild but can run at the bay entrance on a strong tide change. Defence live-firing closures can shut the sea area – check before going. Current occasionally runs across the gorge mouth; with poor anchor holding a live-boat pick-up is safer.

Descend to the 30 m reef top at the anchor, drop into the gorge and follow one wall to the dead end, return along the opposite wall, then ascend via the ledges on the northern wall at 40–45 m to the reef top and begin a planned decompression ascent.

Technical dive: trimix (e.g. 18/45 or 21/35) recommended for the gorge floor, EAN50/oxygen for decompression; air only for a brief look from the 30 m reef top. Carry DSMB and redundant gas.

Technical divers and experienced groups by arrangement with Jervis Bay operators; private boats. Not a routine charter site.