The Shotgun is a Tollgate Islands site with a playful character. The Marine Life Network describes small caves and swim-throughs at 4–18 m that are popular for riding the swell through the shallow passages. Spirit Divers' site guide rated it Easy with a maximum depth of 16 m and described it as an exciting little site where, in the right conditions, water movement pushes you through the swim-throughs 'like being shot out of a barrel'. Grey nurse sharks were commonly seen passing through during dives.

The reef consists of boulders and rock formations that form short tunnels and gaps. In gentle surge, the water flows in and out of these gaps and carries divers with it, which is the source of the name. The rocks are covered in sponges, sea squirts, anemones and encrusting algae, and the passages hold eastern blue devilfish, bullseyes and cardinalfish. Blue groper, sweep, yellowtail and red morwong gather over the reef, and wobbegongs rest in the caves. Because the Tollgate Islands are a sanctuary zone, the fish are numerous.

The site suits Open Water divers who are comfortable with some surge, but the surge that makes it fun can be dangerous if the swell is bigger than expected. Follow the operator's advice, keep hands and gauges tucked in, and go through one at a time. It is a good photography site because of the grey nurse sharks and light through the swim-throughs. The published information is limited to short operator summaries, so ask the crew for a briefing on the day.

Boat access only. Beneath the Bay leaves from the Hanging Rock ramp in Batemans Bay and runs out to the Tollgate Islands in the middle of the bay, about 10–15 minutes; private boats also use the ramps at Batehaven, Wimbie Beach and Mosquito Bay (Lilli Pilli). Landing on the islands (a nature reserve) is not permitted.

The Shotgun is one of the Tollgate Islands sites the operator selects on the day depending on swell; no public mark is available.

The Tollgate Islands sit in the middle of Batemans Bay and break the wind and swell, so some side of the group is usually diveable. The Shotgun is unusual in that it needs some water movement – the Marine Life Network calls it popular for riding the swell through the shallow swim-throughs and Spirit Divers describes being 'shot out of a barrel' in the right conditions. Too much swell makes it dangerous, though; operators choose it on days with a gentle surge rather than a big sea.

Visibility falls after heavy rain.

Descend and explore the deeper reef at 12–18 m first, then move up to the shallow swim-throughs. Time your passage with the surge, go through one diver at a time, and keep hands in to avoid the walls. Finish on the shallow reef near the anchor.

Spirit Divers listed The Shotgun as an Easy site (16 m, day or night); the Marine Life Network lists it as a boat/charter dive at 4–18 m. Dived by Batemans Bay operators when swell suits.