Jeffs Reef is one of the lesser-publicised sites in the big Tuggerah Reef system that stretches between The Entrance and Norah Head. The Terrigal Underwater Group lists it at 22 m and says it is named after member Jeff Heathcote, calling it a total club favourite. The club groups it with the Inner and Outer Bommies, which it describes as part of a very extensive reef system hosting a series of shallow sites that are total fish soup.

That context is the best guide to what Jeffs Reef offers. The Tuggerah Reef bommies rise from sand in a patchwork of sandstone reef, with ledges, gutters and boulders, and they are known for fish density rather than dramatic walls. Yellowtail, silver sweep and one-spot pullers crowd the water above the reef, bullseyes and pomfrets fill the ledges, and red morwong, eastern blue gropers and wrasse patrol.

Wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks are common, and the area's reputation for fish means kingfish and other pelagics are regular visitors. Below the fish, the reef is covered in sponges, sea squirts and encrusting growth with kelp on the tops, and nudibranchs and cuttlefish reward a closer look. Depths around 20 m give comfortable bottom times.

Because it is a club site without a published mark, the practical way to dive Jeffs Reef is with Terrigal Underwater Group or a local skipper familiar with the bommies. It suits Advanced divers and guided Open Water divers wanting a fishy reef away from the busier Terrigal sites, and pairs naturally with the Inner or Outer Bommies.

Jeffs Reef is part of the Entrance/Norah Head bommie system. Private boats usually launch at the Norah Head (Cabbage Tree Bay) boat ramp - via the Pacific Highway and Wilfred Barrett Drive/Bush Street to Cabbage Tree Harbour - and run south along Soldiers Beach for about 10-15 minutes. Terrigal-based trips run north from The Haven past Bateau Bay and The Entrance, a longer run of around 25-30 minutes, and only on calm days.

Parking with trailer bays is available at the Norah Head ramp.

The bommies off The Entrance and Norah Head are exposed to the north-east through south-east and need swell under about 1.5 m. The Norah Head ramp in Cabbage Tree Bay is sheltered from southerlies but unusable in strong north-easterlies, while a building nor'east sea breeze makes the afternoon run uncomfortable. Visibility drops when Tuggerah Lakes flush through The Entrance channel after heavy rain; best conditions follow dry spells with a light westerly.

Winter often brings the cleanest water.

Descend the anchor line to the reef, explore the ledges and gutters in one direction at 18-22 m, and return to the anchor for the ascent and safety stop.

No regular commercial trips; a Terrigal Underwater Group club favourite dived from members' boats; Central Coast Divers and Pro Dive Central Coast occasionally visit the Entrance bommies.