Lady Bay is a pebbly beach near Southport in Tasmania's far south, and the Marine Life Network guide recommends it as the easier alternative to the Southport cemetery dive when the weather is rough. It describes a thick bed of kelp over low rocky reef close to shore, with silty sand further out where thin Macrocystis grew, in 5-10 m, and a good range of fish life. The main difficulty is the entry: the guide warns that the pebbles make footing tricky when fully laden, so take your time and help each other in.

Once underwater, the kelp bed is the highlight, sheltering wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong and juvenile fish, with the chance of weedy seadragons and seahorses in the understorey. Out on the sand, flathead, stingarees and sea stars are common, and the thin giant kelp – if still present, given the widespread decline of Macrocystis in south-east Tasmania – adds vertical interest. Because it is relatively sheltered, Lady Bay can be dived in conditions that close more exposed far-south sites, and it suits Open Water divers and snorkellers.

It combines well with a visit to Southport, Hastings Caves and thermal springs, or with boat trips to Recherche Bay. Expect to have the site to yourself; the far south sees few divers. The far south has no dive shop or air fills – bring filled cylinders from Hobart or Kingston – and mobile coverage is patchy, so carry a VHF radio and leave a trip plan.

Its shallow depth also makes it a good place for a relaxed night snorkel.

Southport is about 100 km (1 hour 40 minutes) south of Hobart: take the Huon Highway through Huonville, Geeveston and Dover, then turn off to Southport. There is a jetty and small boat ramp at Southport, a pub/store and accommodation. Lady Bay is near Southport; follow the local roads to the beach and park nearby.

The Marine Life Network guide describes a reasonably tricky entry from the pebbly beach where it is easy to lose footing when fully laden – consider putting fins on in knee-deep water with a buddy's help.

The far south – Port Esperance, Southport and Recherche Bay – opens southward to the Southern Ocean. Southerly and south-westerly swell and strong southerly winds make the exposed sites unworkable and quickly reduce visibility, while northerly and light westerly winds give calm water. Sheltered bays such as Port Esperance and inner Recherche Bay remain diveable in moderate conditions.

Weather changes rapidly and fronts arrive every few days; plan around high-pressure systems in late summer and autumn and watch for south-westerly changes. Lady Bay is more sheltered than the Southport cemetery site and is the recommended alternative in rough weather.

Enter carefully from the pebbles, swim through the thick kelp over the low reef, then continue out over the silty sand to look for Macrocystis at 8-10 m. Return along the reef.

No operator trips; independent and club divers.