Sawtell Reef, off the headland at the southern end of Sawtell Beach a short distance south of Coffs Harbour, is a modest and lightly documented rocky reef dived mainly by locals rather than as an organised charter destination, since Jetty Dive Centre's attention is naturally focused on the far more productive Solitary Islands to the north. On the rare calm day, though, the reef offers a reasonable, easy dive within Open Water depth limits, and it functions as a useful local alternative when a boat trip to the islands is not practical. The reef follows the familiar Coffs Coast pattern of broken rock, low ledges and small gutters running out from the headland to about 15 m, supporting typical subtropical reef fish, turtles moving along the coast, and the occasional wobbegong shark tucked into an overhang.

Sawtell itself is a popular seaside town with a well-known surf beach, and the same swell that draws surfers generally keeps the water too rough for comfortable diving outside of settled spells, making this very much an opportunistic rather than planned dive for most visitors. Because there is no operator marketing Sawtell Reef as a destination, detailed information on its exact boundaries, precise depths and specific marine life beyond the general regional pattern is limited, and the description here should be read as indicative of the general character of this stretch of the Coffs Coast rather than a fully verified site report. Local knowledge of the best entry points and conditions is valuable, and visiting divers are better served asking Jetty Dive Centre whether a boat trip here is feasible on the day rather than attempting an unguided shore entry without local advice.

Drive to Sawtell township, south of Coffs Harbour, and park near Sawtell Beach or Sawtell Reserve; a short walk over sand or rock leads to the water at the southern headland, the most sheltered entry point. By boat, Jetty Dive Centre or a private vessel would run a short distance south from the Coffs Harbour boat ramp.

Conditions at Coffs Harbour's shore sites depend mostly on swell direction and the state of the local river/creek systems; sheltered harbour sites like Mutton Bird Island's inner face are usable more often than the exposed outer coast. Visibility drops for several days after the Coffs Creek, Bellinger or Nambucca systems flood following heavy rain. Winter (May-Oct) gives cooler but generally clearer water; summer (Nov-Apr) is warmer with more tropical vagrants.

Sawtell Beach is a popular surf beach, so a shore dive here depends on the swell being unusually small; the reef can also be reached more reliably by boat from Coffs Harbour.

Enter at the southern headland on a calm day, work the reef and gutters at 4-10 m looking for turtles and reef fish, and return to the same entry point before the tide or swell builds.

No dedicated charter; occasionally dived by Jetty Dive Centre as a variation, and by local shore divers and spearfishers on calm days.