The short pipe is the lesser-known of the two pipes that run out from the South Wall of the Gold Coast Seaway. While the sand bypass pipe to the right of the main stairs carries sand under the entrance, the short pipe, just to the left and very close to it, carries treated sewage that is discharged on the outgoing tide. Divers' guides mention it mainly as a companion to the sand pipe, and most Seaway dives take in both.

Like the sand pipe, it has become an artificial reef, its concrete and steel encrusted with sponges, ascidians and hydroids and used as shelter by the same rich cast of fish and critters that makes the Seaway famous. Expect Queensland groupers, sweetlips and mulloway around the structure, rays on the sand, wobbegongs resting beside the pipe, and a host of macro subjects – nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, scorpionfish and stonefish – on its surface and in the adjacent rocks of the wall. Divernet notes that sewage is vented from the pipes after high tide, which is one of several reasons the Seaway must only be dived towards the end of the incoming tide and around the slack.

On the right tide, the water in the entrance is clean ocean water and visibility can reach 15 m; on the ebb, it is murky and unpleasant, and the current is too strong to dive safely. The short pipe is a good way to extend a Seaway dive or to vary a regular shore dive for local divers who know the sand pipe well. Keep hands off the pipe and rocks because of stonefish, and stay near the wall to avoid boat traffic in the channel.

Drive to the end of Seaworld Drive on The Spit and park in the Doug Jennings Park car park facing South Stradbroke Island (front car park closes 8 pm). Walk about 50 m to the South Wall access stairs. The short pipe runs out from the wall just to the left of the stairs, very close to the sand bypass pipe on the right.

Enter by the stairs, descend along the wall and follow the pipe; exit by the same stairs.

Tidal site – dive only towards the end of the incoming tide and the high-tide slack (enter roughly 30-60 minutes before high tide; be out within about an hour of the turn). The ebb runs very hard and brings turbid Broadwater water; treated sewage is vented from the short pipe after high tide. Large easterly swells push surge into the entrance.

Visibility 3-15 m, best on big high tides in dry weather. Because this pipe is the outfall, never dive it on the ebb.

Enter by the main stairs 30-60 minutes before high tide, turn left along the wall and follow the short pipe out, then cross over to the sand bypass pipe and return along the wall. Exit before the tide turns.

Gold Coast Dive Adventures and other Gold Coast dive shops – included in guided Seaway shore dives, usually combined with the sand bypass pipe.