The Outer Reef off Rocky Cape is rated 9 out of 10 by the Marine Life Network guide and described as one of the north-west coast's better spots. It is a large rectangular rocky outcrop over 100 m long, whose pinnacle-dominated top at about 8 m shelves in steps down to 25 m; the Rocky Cape side drops suddenly and the seaward side shelves gently. Michael McFadyen describes a distinctive double bommie with twin peaks at about 4 m, a gully at about 10 m between them and the sand edge at about 22 m, with kelp about 1.5 m high on top.

Current-driven growth is the highlight: gorgonians, sponges including barrel sponges, yellow and white sea pens, sea daisies, hydroids, tunicates and zoanthids on overhangs, with leatherjackets, wrasse, seapike, pufferfish and clouds of other fish. McFadyen had 25 m-plus visibility and 18.7 °C water in February. Local divers typically combine two or three Rocky Cape and Sisters Island sites in a day, choosing the side of the cape that suits the wind and the state of the tide.

The Rocky Cape and Sisters Island area is, in the Leven Scuba Club's words, the best collection of dive sites on the north-west coast. The quartzite of Rocky Cape - some of the oldest rock in Tasmania - forms gutters, ledges, caves and bommies, and the tidal flow along Bass Strait keeps sponges, gorgonians, sea pens and bryozoans well fed. Michael McFadyen, diving here in February 2008, recorded 18-19 °C water and 20-25 m visibility, figures that surprise divers used to the east coast.

Rocky Cape National Park also protects Aboriginal cave sites and coastal heath above the water, and a Parks Pass is required for vehicles. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about four hours' drive away, so conservative profiles and oxygen on the boat are essential.

Rocky Cape National Park is off the Bass Highway between Wynyard and Stanley, about 30 minutes west of Wynyard and 1 hr 15 min west of Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania terminal). A Parks Pass is required. Boats launch at the Rocky Cape boat ramps (the western ramp at Mary Ann Bay suits boats up to about 5 m), Sisters Beach or Boat Harbour; ramps are shallow and weedy at low tide, so a 4WD tow vehicle helps.

From the Rocky Cape boat ramp run about 2.4 km out to the reef (McFadyen: 40 50 27.6 S, 145 31 33.2 E). A depth sounder and local knowledge help locate the peaks.

The north-west coast faces Bass Strait: north-westerly to north-easterly winds and westerly swell make it rough, while southerly winds blow offshore and give flat seas - light airs and sunny days are relatively common from January to April. Easterly gales are common in the warmer months and close the eastern faces of Rocky Cape and Sisters Island. Tidal streams run along the coast (eastward on the flood), and several boat sites are only comfortable around slack water.

Slack water is essential - dive about 1.5 hours after the tide change; currents run east on the incoming tide.

Drop near the twin peaks (about 4 m), follow the gully between them (about 10 m, running north-west to south-east), then circle the sand edge at about 22 m clockwise or anticlockwise, working back up the steps. 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 confirmed commercial dive operator on the north-west coast as of 2026 (older guides mention dive services in Wynyard and Devonport - verify). Sites are dived mainly by the Leven Scuba Club (Ulverstone), other north-west club members and visiting divers with their own boats; Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) runs occasional northern trips.