Musselroe Point is described by the Marine Life Network guide as a long stretch of reef in an exposed position, deepening progressively to about 15 m, and primarily a crayfish dive. It rates it 6 out of 10 and lists tube worms, hydroids and patches of Macrocystis giant kelp, with confused seas possible and exposure to easterly weather.

The Musselroe Bay area is now dominated above water by the Musselroe wind farm on Cape Portland, which makes a useful landmark from the sea. Treat the depths, positions and conditions given here as a starting point, and confirm them with local divers and a depth sounder before committing to a dive.

The far north-east corner of Tasmania, from Eddystone Point to Cape Portland and Swan Island, is one of the most remote stretches of the state's coast. Roads north of St Helens and around Gladstone are partly gravel, the nearest shops are at Gladstone, Derby or Bridport, and there are no dive services at all. The Marine Life Network guide, written from the experience of Launceston divers, is still the only detailed published account of most of these sites.

Where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea around Cape Portland and the Swan Island group, tidal streams run hard, and the guide repeatedly stresses slack water, safety lines and experienced boat handlers for the wreck sites. The Royal Hobart Hospital chamber is five hours or more away by road, so any diving here should be conservative and planned with an evacuation route in mind.

Musselroe Bay is about 30 km north of Gladstone by gravel road (roughly 2 hr 45 min from Launceston). Launch small boats from the Musselroe Bay lagoon/settlement and run out to the point, about 10 minutes. The lagoon entrance is shallow and tidal.

There are no marinas or fuel on this coast apart from the towns named, so carry spare fuel, a VHF radio and an EPIRB, leave a trip plan ashore, and check MAST boating advice; many north-coast ramps are shallow at low tide, and a 4WD tow vehicle is a real advantage.

The Cape Portland and Swan Island area lies where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea: strong tidal streams run through the passages and between the islands, and wind against tide creates steep, dangerous seas. Diving is only practical at slack water in light winds; westerly swell and strong easterlies both make the area unworkable. Musselroe Point is exposed to easterly weather and confused seas are possible.

Use the Bureau of Meteorology coastal forecast for the North East Coast and Banks Strait, and check tide times for the nearest standard port before planning the run.

Drop on the reef at 5-8 m and follow it out as it deepens to 15 m, looking under ledges. Return shallower along the reef. Turn the dive at half gas (thirds where current or overhead sections are involved), deploy an SMB before surfacing for the live-boat pick-up, and complete a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m where depth allows.

No commercial operator. Dived occasionally by Launceston clubs and Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) groups, and by private boats and cray divers. Remote - full self-sufficiency required.