The Pages are a group of small rocky islets in the eastern Backstairs Passage, between Kangaroo Island's Dudley Peninsula and Cape Jervis. The Marine Life Network describes them as small islets in current-prone, exposed waters, 15 km from the Cape Jervis boat ramp, with large walls on the south island up to 10 m high, depths of 15-30 m, large schools of fish and seals – a pristine area for advanced divers only.

The islands are a conservation park and an important Australian sea lion breeding site, and the surrounding water is swept by the tidal flows of Backstairs Passage. That combination brings food and fish: schools of sweep, trevally, salmon and kingfish, big blue groper, and sea lions that may approach divers. The walls on the south island are covered in sponges and encrusting life, and the visibility in the clear passage water is often excellent.

It is also a place to take seriously. Currents can be strong and changeable, the islands are far from shelter, and seal colonies attract white sharks – Backstairs Passage and the Neptune Islands are among Australia's best-known white shark areas. Divers should plan for slack water, stay close to the walls, use DSMBs and have competent boat cover. The islands must not be landed on. For experienced divers with the right boat and weather, the Pages offer one of South Australia's wildest and most pristine dives. Charter availability is irregular, so most trips are organised by experienced private boat owners or dive clubs from Adelaide.

Launch from the Cape Jervis boat ramp on the Fleurieu Peninsula (about 1.5 hours from Adelaide) and run about 15 km south-west across Backstairs Passage to the Pages; boats from Penneshaw can also make the trip. Choose neap tides and slack water, and a settled forecast, as the passage is notorious for current and short, steep seas. The islands are a conservation park – do not land.

Backstairs Passage funnels strong tidal streams between Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula; the Pages sit in the middle of that flow and are exposed to swell from the south-west and wind from all directions. Dive only on neap tides at slack water in light winds; wind against tide produces steep, dangerous seas. Summer-autumn has the most suitable days.

The Marine Life Network describes the waters as current-prone and exposed, for advanced divers only.

Drop at slack water in the lee of the south island, descend the walls to 15-25 m, drift gently with the residual current and ascend on a DSMB with the boat following.

Plan for slack water on neap tides; DSMB and signalling devices mandatory; nitrox useful; live-boat pick-up preferred.

No regular scheduled operator – occasional charters and private boats from Cape Jervis; Adelaide operators occasionally run trips.