Two Poles takes its name from the pair of telegraph poles on the cliffs at the northern end of Terrigal Beach that old-timers lined up to find the reef; one pole has gone, but the name stuck. Michael McFadyen places the site about 650 m off the cliffs and describes the main feature as a sand gutter, roughly 10 m wide, running south-east to north-west into the reef, with the gutter floor at about 19 m and the reef rising to about 12 m in one spot. The standard dive follows the gutter.

Anchor at the sandy north-western end, swim down the southern side and back along the northern side, then use the remaining air on the shallower reef top. The gutter walls are broken into small boulders, cracks and overhangs, and near the anchor larger boulders and reef-top formations give more relief. The Terrigal Underwater Group highlights dense growth of gorgonian fans, and McFadyen notes small gorgonias in many colours alongside sponges and sea squirts.

Wildlife is the real draw for many divers. Weedy seadragons are regularly seen around the reef, along with cuttlefish, wobbegongs, ladder-finned pomfrets, one-spot pullers and schools of yellowtail. Muddy Puddle Diver calls it a well-known and popular shallow site that was a mainstay before the ex-HMAS Adelaide arrived.

McFadyen's verdict - a reasonable dive, interesting but not one of the greatest - is fair, and he notes it is often used as a second dive. Its easy depth, simple navigation and seadragon potential make it well suited to newer divers, photographers and anyone wanting a relaxed reef after a deeper first dive on the Adelaide or Foggy Reef.

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.

From The Haven run north along Terrigal and Wamberal beaches to the cliffs at the northern end, about 5-8 minutes. The site was originally found by lining up two telegraph poles on shore (one is no longer standing), about 650 m out from the cliffs.

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.

Anchor at the north-western, sandy end of the gutter. Descend and follow the southern side of the gutter south-east, then cross and return along the northern side. Spend the last part of the dive on the shallower reef top near the anchor, exploring cracks and overhangs, before ascending.

Pro Dive Central Coast (Terrigal Haven) runs boat dives from The Haven most days, weather permitting; Central Coast Divers also runs Terrigal charters; the Terrigal Underwater Group dives the site from club and members' boats. It is usually offered as a second dive or when conditions or demand favour reef sites over the ex-HMAS Adelaide.