Pistol Crack is the most striking of the reefs on the cliff coast immediately north of Cape Banks, named for the pistol club whose range sits on the headland above. A deep fissure runs north–south through the reef and is obvious from the boat as a matching cleft in the cliff platform. The usual anchorage is at the edge of a three-metre wall with a further five-metre wall to the east, and two wall systems run north from there.

The crack itself drops to 27 m and between 22 and 27 m its sides carry very fine sponges. On its northern side at 18 m is an excellent tunnel under a huge rock, the sort of feature McFadyen compares to the caves of Jervis Bay. The shallows hold debris from the council tip that once operated on the cliff, adding an odd archaeological interest.

Fish life is abundant: huge schools of yellowtail, seapike and nannygai hang over the crack while red morwong line the bottom, and Port Jackson sharks congregate around the swim-through in winter and spring. Until recently this was one of the least-dived areas in Sydney because charter boats did not come here; Frog Dive, Pro Dive and Sydney Dive Academy now visit occasionally, but private boats and the St George Scuba Club still see it most. Because the site ranges from 12 m to 27 m it offers a good multilevel profile – deep in the crack first, then the tunnel, then the shallows – and it is often the finishing point of a drift from Secluded Cemetery 800 m north.

For anyone with access to a boat out of Botany Bay, McFadyen's advice is simple: give Pistol Crack a go.

Boat only. From Botany Bay round Cape Banks and run north about a kilometre; the fissure in the cliff platform and the mounds behind the pistol-range targets are clearly visible from the water. Line up the crack, run in on 15 m and continue north until the sounder reads 12 m, then anchor on the edge of the 3 m wall.

About 10–12 minutes from the heads. Frog Dive, Pro Dive and Sydney Dive Academy have visited occasionally but it is mostly a private-boat site.

An exposed reef under the cliffs north of Cape Banks; the shallow 12 m section becomes surgy in swell over about 1 m, while the crack and the deeper walls are workable to around 1.5 m. Westerly winds are ideal; north-easterly sea breezes make the anchorage lumpy by afternoon. Mild current from the north is common and allows a drift from Secluded Cemetery.

Visibility is usually very good on this steep, clean coast. Note the datum: McFadyen's marks for this site are AUS66, about 200 m from WGS84.

Descend to the 3 m wall at the anchor, work the two wall systems running north, return to the anchor and head south into the crack, dropping to the 22–27 m section with the best sponges. Come back north and go through the tunnel under the huge rock at 18 m on the northern side of the crack, then finish in the shallows among the old tip debris before ascending.

Occasional charters by Frog Dive, Pro Dive Coogee and Sydney Dive Academy; otherwise private boats and St George Scuba Club.