Stanley Point, opposite the Sisters Islands at the northern tip of Flinders Island, is described by the Marine Life Network guide as the best shore dive on the island, rated 8 out of 10. The point is affected by current from the passage between Flinders and the Sisters, which feeds rock walls packed with colourful invertebrates and sponges at about 15 m, and small colourful fish such as mado and juvenile scalyfin that are uncommon elsewhere in Tasmania. Sheltered bays either side of the point allow safe entry and exit. Local advice from Flinders Island Dive or the charter skippers at Lady Barron on current conditions, tides and exact positions is the best starting point for any dive here.

The Furneaux Group - Flinders, Cape Barren, Clarke, Preservation and dozens of smaller islands - is one of Australia's least-dived temperate regions. Granite dominates, but Flinders Island also has unusual limestone reefs, and the islands' position on the eastern approach to Bass Strait left a long trail of shipwrecks from the colony's earliest years. The Marine Life Network guide remains the fullest published account of the dive sites; since then Flinders Island Dive at Emita has made air and guiding available on the island.

All wrecks over 75 years old are protected under Commonwealth and Tasmanian heritage law: nothing may be disturbed or removed, and new finds should be reported to the Parks and Wildlife Service. There is no chamber on the island, so a diving injury means aeromedical evacuation to Hobart or Melbourne; dive conservatively and carry oxygen.

Flinders Island is reached by air from Launceston (about 35 minutes) or Melbourne, landing at Whitemark, or by the vehicular freight ferry from Bridport. Flinders Island Dive at Emita can supply cylinders and weights, which avoids air-freighting heavy gear. Whitemark's ramp is difficult at tide extremes; Lady Barron in the south has the best ramp and most sheltered anchorage and is the base for trips to Cape Barren, Preservation and Clarke islands.

Stanley Point is in the far north-east of Flinders Island near the North East River, about 1 hr 15 min from Whitemark via Palana Road and a rough bush track at the end (high-clearance vehicle recommended). Enter from one of the sheltered bays either side of the point; take care climbing over the boulders with gear.

The Furneaux Group sits in eastern Bass Strait: the west coast of Flinders Island is exposed to the prevailing westerlies, the east coast to easterly summer gales, and strong tidal streams run through Franklin Sound, Armstrong Channel and the passages between the islands, especially after gales. January-April offers the most settled weather, but sudden southerly or westerly changes can arrive with little warning, so plan around a safe anchorage. Sheltered from south-easterly weather, so it is the option when conditions are unsuitable elsewhere; passage current from the Sisters channel affects the point - plan for slack or a gentle drift.

Enter in the bay on the down-current side, dive along the rock walls of the point at 10-15 m, and return with the current to the entry bay. Turn at a third of gas to allow for the swim back and a possibly harder exit, finish with a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m if the depth allows, and exit where you entered unless an alternative exit has been checked beforehand.

Flinders Island Dive (Emita, west coast; ph 0428 598 529) offers scuba and snorkel hire, air, and small-group guided diving, snorkelling and fishing tours including reefs, caves and shipwrecks, year-round. Charter boats Rockjaw Tours and Latitude Charters (listed by Visit Flinders Island) run trips that can include diving; the southern wrecks are reached from Lady Barron.