Variety Bay is a remote bay on Bruny Island's east coast. The Marine Life Network guide describes dolerite cliffs on the southern side of the bay, with the bottom dropping away only slowly to a modest 15 m, luxurious seaweed, schools of fish and common reef species. It notes that the site lacks the delicate invertebrate life found at more sheltered or deeper sites, that it is difficult to reach, and that its exposure means good weather is essential.

The seaweed is the main feature: dense stands of crayweed, kelp and other brown algae cover the reef, with red algae in the understorey, supporting wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie morwong and schools of bastard trumpeter. Rock lobster may be found in the cracks under the cliffs, and weedy seadragons in the weed. It is a pleasant, shallow dive in a beautiful, isolated setting rather than a spectacular one, and its main appeal is the sense of exploring a coastline few divers visit.

Plan it as part of a Bruny east-coast boat day with Cape Connella or Penguin Island. Details come from an older guide; check the chart and the forecast carefully. Bruny's east coast is also frequented by fur seals, dolphins and, in season, migrating whales.

Carry a VHF radio, as mobile coverage along Bruny's east coast is patchy, and be prepared to turn back if the swell is higher than forecast. A sheltered fallback in Adventure Bay is always close enough to salvage the day. Snorkellers can enjoy the seaweed from the surface.

Bruny Island is reached by the vehicle ferry from Kettering (about 35 km, 40 minutes south of Hobart via the Southern Outlet and Channel Highway) to Roberts Point on North Bruny; the crossing takes about 20 minutes and runs frequently, but book or queue early in summer. From Roberts Point drive south across The Neck to Adventure Bay (about 35-40 minutes), where there are boat ramps and a jetty. There are no dive shops or air fills on Bruny – bring filled cylinders from Hobart or Kingston.

The Marine Life Network guide describes Variety Bay as a difficult, exposed boat trip from Adventure Bay. The bay is on Bruny's east coast; allow 20-40 minutes depending on sea state and anchor in sand off the southern cliffs.

Adventure Bay faces east into the Tasman Sea and is sheltered from westerly and south-westerly winds, so it is often calm when the channel side is choppy. Easterly and north-easterly winds and swell make the bay and the outer sites rough; southerly groundswell wraps around Fluted Cape and Cape Connella. The Marine Life Network notes that swell reduces visibility and strips delicate growth from the shallow reefs.

Best after several days of westerlies; late summer and autumn are the most reliable. Heavy rain has little effect except near creek mouths. The Marine Life Network stresses that good weather is essential because of the bay's exposure and the long run.

Descend under the southern dolerite cliffs and follow the reef out as the bottom slowly shelves to 15 m, then return along the cliff base.

No scheduled dive operator on Bruny; Underwater Adventures Tasmania runs South Bruny and Channel boat trips from Hobart; otherwise private boats from Adventure Bay. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (Bruny Island Cruises) visits the coast by boat for sightseeing, not diving.