The Pambula River enters the sea at the southern end of Pambula Beach, between the beach and the northern section of Beowa National Park.

Estuary entrances like this concentrate life: tidal flow brings plankton and baitfish in and out, and fish gather along the channel edges. Expect bream, luderick, whiting, flathead, mullet and leatherjackets, with stingrays and eagle rays on the sand and schools of salmon or tailor at times. Weed and seagrass beds near the entrance may shelter pipefish, seahorses and juvenile fish, and oyster leases are found further up the lake. The rock edges on the national park side have kelp and small reef fish.

The key to diving here is tide. Only enter on the incoming tide and finish by high slack; on the ebb, the current runs out through the bar and can carry divers into the surf. Visibility is best on the flood after dry weather. The site suits experienced snorkellers and divers who understand tidal drift, not beginners. For easier diving nearby, Merimbula Wharf is a short drive north. Talk to Merimbula Divers Lodge about tide times and recent conditions before trying it. Kayakers, anglers and small boats also use the channel, especially in summer, so tow a dive flag. A snorkel on the flood tide is a pleasant alternative for non-divers, but children should stay well upstream of the bar.

From the Princes Highway at Pambula, follow Pambula Beach Road to Pambula Beach and the car park near the river mouth at the southern end, or approach from the Beowa National Park side via Haycock Road to the Pambula River Walk. Walk along the beach or bank to the channel. Divers and snorkellers enter upstream of the mouth on the incoming tide and drift in.

This is a tidal site. Dive only on the flood tide, finishing at high slack, when clear ocean water flows in; the ebb carries turbid lake water out to sea and can sweep divers through the bar into the surf. Swell breaking on the Pambula bar makes the mouth dangerous.

After heavy rain the river runs brown for days. Southerly swell affects the bar most.

Enter at the seaward end of the channel about an hour before high tide and let the flood carry you gently upstream along the weed and rock edges at 2–5 m. Exit at a planned point on the bank before slack water turns to ebb.

No operator publicly schedules dives here; occasionally dived and snorkelled by locals. Merimbula Divers Lodge can advise on tides and conditions.