Flagstaff Point is Wollongong's most central dive: the headland under the white Wollongong Head lighthouse, with the historic fort and harbour on one side and North Beach on the other. It is a moderately sized headland compared with Bass Point, but it offers genuine reef diving within walking distance of the CBD, and it is also popular with snorkellers and freedivers.

Underwater the headland drops from the rock platform to a mix of boulders, overhangs, sandy channels and, at the eastern end, a vertical wall around 10–12 m. The walls are carpeted with red and green zoanthids, and small caves shelter cuttlefish, octopus and juvenile fish. The habitat diversity brings predators: kingfish and yellowtail hunt along the edges, flathead lie in the sand patches and rays forage in the channels. Wirrah cod, Port Jackson sharks in winter and plenty of nudibranchs round out the list, and little penguins are occasionally seen at the surface.

Either side can be dived depending on swell, which makes the site a useful local option. The trade-offs are typical of urban rock-platform dives: slippery algae on the entry shelf, surge that demands careful timing, fishing line, and the potential for a current along the rocks heading out to sea. The harbour next door provides an easy bail-out. Divers new to rock-platform entries should go with someone who knows the site, and everyone should check the tide and swell before committing. It is a good choice for a relaxed shallow dive or a night dive in calm winter conditions.

From Wollongong CBD drive east along Crown Street/Cliff Road to Flagstaff Hill Fort at the end of Endeavour Drive, beside the lighthouse. There is ample parking at the top. Well-formed paths lead down to the rock platform on both the northern and southern sides of the point.

Carry gear a short distance down the path, choose the side sheltered from the swell and step off the shelf at the marked entry.

A moderate headland exposed to swell from both north-east and south-east; choose the southern side in north-easterly conditions and the northern (harbour) side in a southerly. Needs a swell under about 1 m. A strong current can set seaward along the rocks, especially as swell picks up – the escape route is to swim into the harbour or along to the beach.

Bluebottles arrive on north-easterly winds in summer. June to August typically offers the most diveable days.

Enter on the sheltered side, drop to the boulder and sand edge at 6–8 m and work east towards the vertical wall at the tip of the point, checking overhangs and small caves. Turn at a third of air – the current along the rocks usually runs seaward – and return to the same exit, or swim into the harbour if conditions change.

No regular guided dives; United Divers (Fairy Meadow) is the nearest shop for local advice and fills. Mostly dived by locals and freedivers.