South Gorge is North Stradbroke Island's only shore dive on the ocean coast, entered from the beach on the southern side of Point Lookout's main headland. marinelife.org.au calls it a challenging dive involving a long surface swim, and Manta Lodge restricts it to advanced divers because of the surf entry, strong currents and waves. On a calm day, though, it rewards the effort. After the surface swim, divers descend at the base of the headland's cliffs and follow an underwater wall that leads to Whale Rock, in depths of 5-15 m.

The rock is covered in hard and soft corals and home to tropical fish, nudibranchs and crustaceans. Larger animals are common for a shore dive: bull rays and eagle rays, turtles, wobbegong and leopard sharks, and between November and April manta rays, which frequent the waters off Point Lookout. The headland above is the famous North Gorge walk, where visitors watch turtles, rays, dolphins and whales from the clifftops; South Gorge gives divers a view of the same coast from below.

The dive is entirely condition-dependent. It should only be attempted when the sea is almost flat, typically on a winter morning after westerly winds, and divers must be confident with surf entries and exits and able to handle current along an exposed cliff. Local advice from Manta Lodge is strongly recommended.

For experienced shore divers, it is one of the most scenic and wild shore dives in Queensland. Divers should also carry a surface marker, as boats and jet skis round the headland.

From Dunwich (SeaLink ferry from Cleveland) drive about 20 km east to Point Lookout. Park near the Point Lookout headland (Gorge Walk area) and carry gear down to the beach on the southern side of the headland (Main Beach end) – the walk is short but involves steps and sand. Enter through the surf and make a long surface swim out to the base of the cliffs, then follow the wall towards Whale Rock.

Manta Lodge (Point Lookout) can advise on conditions and occasionally guides it. Only attempt in calm weather.

The only shore dive on the ocean side of Straddie and heavily exposed: it needs calm conditions with minimal swell (under about 1 m) and light winds, which usually means a winter westerly day. Surf at the entry, strong currents and waves along the cliff make it an advanced-only dive. South-easterly trade winds and any groundswell rule it out.

Visibility 5-20 m.

Time the surf entry between sets, surface-swim to the cliff base, descend and follow the wall at 8-12 m towards Whale Rock, turning at half gas or earlier if the current is against you. Return along the wall and exit through the surf on the same beach.

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre – occasional guided shore dives for advanced divers in calm conditions; otherwise independent experienced divers only.