The Gutter is the dive that most Sydney and Illawarra divers do first at Bass Point, and it earns its popularity. Its great virtue is shelter: the site faces north into Shellharbour and is protected from southerly wind and swell to the point that it can be dived in comfort during a southerly gale, when almost every other site on the coast is closed.

The gutter itself is a large incision in the rock platform with a rocky, kelp-covered floor at 3–4 m. Swimming north along its western wall the bottom drops gradually into a canyon system that heads north-east. The canyons open into gullies lined with sponges, sea tulips and gorgonians, reaching 18–20 m, and the route back returns through the main gutter so the depth decreases steadily towards the exit. Divers who push further north across the sand reach the separate Gutter Sponge Gardens at 20–23 m.

Life is abundant. Weedy sea dragons are regularly seen in the kelp and gullies, along with cuttlefish, squid, moray eels and many nudibranchs. Leatherjackets, striped seapike, bream, striped morwong and eastern hulafish are common, and a large ray often rests near the mouth of the gutter. In recent years grey nurse sharks have become regular visitors to the wider Bass Point area. Kelp coverage has increased significantly, partly because sea urchins that graze it were once killed by divers – leave them alone. Easy access, a range of depths and a forgiving route make The Gutter suitable for everyone from trainees to photographers.

From Sydney take the M1/Princes Motorway south past Wollongong (about 105 km, 1.5 hours), take the Shellharbour exit and follow Shellharbour Road to the Shellharbour Workers Club, then turn right onto Boollwarroo Parade into Bass Point Reserve. Follow the dirt road nearly 2 km into the reserve past the gravel loader and park in the car park on the left, as close as possible to its north-western corner. A short walk across the grass and rock platform leads to the gutter.

Enter where the tide makes it easiest.

The northern (Shellharbour-facing) side of Bass Point is protected from southerly winds and swell – even gale-force southerlies – which makes it the Illawarra's reliable shore-diving fallback. It is blown out by north-east swell over about 1 m and by strong nor'easters, which are common on summer afternoons, so summer dives are best done in the morning. Tide is not critical but high tide makes entries and exits over the rock platform easier.

Visibility ranges from 5 m after swell or rain to 15–20 m in winter westerly spells. The reserve gate may be closed on total fire ban days.

Descend in the gutter to the kelp-covered floor at 3–4 m and swim north along the western wall. Follow the canyon system north-east into the sponge gullies with gorgonians at 12–18 m, looking for sea dragons, then turn and return through the main gutter, shallowing gradually from 18 m to the exit at 3 m.

Shellharbour Scuba and Photography Centre runs guided shore dives and training at Bass Point most weekends and regular social dives; United Divers (Wollongong) and many Sydney clubs and dive shops also bring groups. The Gutter is Shellharbour Scuba's flagship shore site.