The Pines is a lesser-known deep reef on the Marine Life Network's list of Central Coast sites, where it is recorded at about 30 m with 'nicer sponge gardens with sea whips' on the eastern wall. That short description places it with Forresters Reef and 5 Mile in the group of deeper Terrigal reefs where fixed invertebrates rather than kelp dominate. The eastern wall is the focus.

Walls at this depth off the Central Coast face the prevailing currents and are covered in filter feeders - sponges of many colours, sea whips, small gorgonian fans, ascidians and bryozoans - which is why the site gets singled out for its sponge gardens. Ledges and undercuts along the wall shelter bullseyes, cardinalfish and moray eels, and wobbegongs rest at its base. Fish life is typical of the deeper Terrigal reefs: schools of yellowtail and silver sweep over the top, red morwong and Maori wrasse along the face, and occasional kingfish, snapper or samsonfish in the blue.

Nudibranchs are common on the sponges, and the chance of grey nurse sharks in the cooler months exists here as at other Terrigal deep reefs. Published information is sparse, so treat this as a local-knowledge site: dive it with Terrigal Underwater Group members or an operator who knows the mark. It suits Advanced divers comfortable at 30 m, preferably on nitrox, and appeals to photographers wanting colourful deep sponge walls without the crowds of the Adelaide.

A torch is worth carrying even on bright days, because at 30 m the reds, oranges and purples of the sponges only show under artificial light.

All boat dives in this area launch from the Terrigal Haven boat ramp at the southern end of Terrigal Beach, tucked behind The Skillion headland. From the Central Coast Highway follow Terrigal Drive into Terrigal, then Kurrawyba Avenue and Terrigal Esplanade to The Haven, where there is a paid car park beside the ramp; Pro Dive Central Coast's shop is a short walk away and gear is loaded on the ramp or the adjacent beach. Private boats need a ramp with good parking early on weekends as the car park fills by mid-morning in summer.

The Pines is one of the offshore reefs dived from The Haven; allow roughly 10-15 minutes each way. No public mark is published, so dive it with a local operator or club.

Terrigal's offshore reefs are open to the Tasman Sea and are dived only when swell is below roughly 1.5 m; a north-east sea breeze building through the afternoon in summer and strong southerlies after a front are the usual reasons trips are cancelled, so morning departures are the norm. The Haven boat ramp is sheltered by The Skillion but the run out past the headland can be lumpy in a south-easterly. Visibility is best in late summer and autumn when the East Australian Current pushes warm blue water inshore, and worst after heavy rain when Terrigal Lagoon, Wamberal Lagoon and Avoca Lagoon open and stain the inshore water.

Winter water is cooler (around 15-17 °C) but often clear. Deeper offshore reefs also need manageable current - when the East Australian Current runs hard, skippers may skip them for sites closer in.

Descend to the reef and head for the eastern wall, following it at 26-30 m to see the sponge gardens and sea whips, then return along the top of the wall to the anchor.

Nitrox recommended.

No scheduled trips; dived by Terrigal Underwater Group and occasionally by Terrigal operators on request.