Taylors Island lies among the islands of Thorny Passage off the southern coast of Lincoln National Park. The Marine Life Society describes a boulder-strewn bottom at about 12 m with exciting dive sites around many small caves, swim-throughs and gutters, colourful sponges and gorgonians, and fish including morwong, perch, old wives, boarfish and western blue groper. The granite boulders create a playground of overhangs and passages, with invertebrate colour on the shaded surfaces and kelp on top.

Boarfish and blue devils hide in the caves, schools of old wives and sweep move between boulders, and the big blue groper typical of lower Eyre Peninsula patrol the reef. Nearby Taylors Landing, a small ramp in the park, is described as very sheltered, with low limestone outcrops in 2-3 m and delicate seaweeds – a snorkel spot in its own right. Taylors Island suits Open Water divers with boat access who want a varied granite-reef dive.

Combine it with Memory Cove, Lewis Island or Grindal Island for a full day in Thorny Passage. Thorny Passage takes its name from the maze of islands and reefs that make navigation tricky, so skippers need good charts and a sounder, and should allow for tidal streams that run strongly between the islands. On a calm day with clear water, the boulder field's combination of structure, invertebrate colour and big blue groper makes it one of the more rewarding boat dives within reach of Port Lincoln, and it is rarely shared with other divers.

Carry an SMB, as drift pick-ups are common when the tide runs.

Port Lincoln is about 650 km (7 hours) by road from Adelaide via Port Augusta and the Lincoln Highway, or a 45-50 minute flight (Rex/QantasLink). Boat access from Lincoln Cove Marina or the Tulka ramp (south of Port Lincoln) through Thorny Passage, about 40-50 minutes. Taylors Landing, a small ramp inside Lincoln National Park, gives closer access for small boats in settled weather.

Boston Bay and the waters around Port Lincoln are sheltered from Southern Ocean swell by Boston Island and the Lincoln National Park coast, so the town jetties can be dived in most weather; strong south-easterly and easterly winds are what chop them up. The islands of Thorny Passage and the lower Eyre coast are progressively more exposed to south-westerly swell and strong tidal streams, and need swell under about 1.5-2 m and light winds. Winter (May-August) brings frequent cold fronts with big south-westerly swell but also calm, clear spells; summer has more reliable weather but regular afternoon south-easterly sea breezes.

Water is cooler than the gulfs, around 13-15°C in winter and 17-20°C in summer.

Descend onto the boulder field at 10-12 m and weave through caves, swim-throughs and gutters, then rise over the boulders to finish.

No regular operator; local divers with boats.