Table Cape, the flat-topped basalt headland west of Wynyard famous for its tulip farm and lighthouse, has a narrow rocky reef at its foot created by fallen rubble. The Marine Life Network guide rates it 5 out of 10: a shallow, exposed location in 2-6 m, with leatherjackets, magpie perch, sea sweep and common Bass Strait reef fish among medium to large boulders but limited delicate marine life. It warns that the site is remote from safe anchorages, that beginners need experienced leadership and that heavy swell makes it uncomfortable. The Leven Scuba Club describes the same narrow reef close to the cape with medium to large boulders.

No dive description of Fossil Bluff has been found, and the documented dive is at Table Cape. Local knowledge from Leven Scuba Club members is the best way to get the most out of it, and first-time visitors should ideally dive it with someone who knows the site and the tide.

The central north coast between Wynyard and Port Sorell is the home water of the Leven Scuba Club at Ulverstone, whose site list is the main modern source for it, supplemented by the older Marine Life Network guide. The towns of Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport sit right on the coast, so many sites are within minutes of a ramp or car park, but the reefs are generally low and weedy, visibility is often 5-10 m, and the coast is open to Bass Strait's northerly and westerly weather.

Devonport is the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, which makes these sites the first and last dives for many interstate visitors bringing their own gear. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the north - the nearest is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 3.5 hours' drive - so dive conservatively, especially on the deeper offshore sites.

Wynyard is on the Bass Highway 20 minutes west of Burnie and 50 minutes west of Devonport. Launch in the sheltered Inglis River at Wynyard and run north-west 10-15 minutes to the foot of Table Cape. The Leven Scuba Club lists it as boat-only; the cape is remote from safe anchorages, so keep an eye on the weather.

From the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Devonport, all central north-coast sites are within about an hour's drive along the Bass Highway. North-coast ramps are often shallow and weedy at low tide, so time launches for mid to high tide and carry a sounder, radio and tide tables.

The north-west coast faces Bass Strait: north-westerly to north-easterly winds and westerly swell make it rough, while southerly winds blow offshore and give flat seas - light airs and sunny days are relatively common from January to April. Easterly gales are common in the warmer months and close the eastern faces of Rocky Cape and Sisters Island. Tidal streams run along the coast (eastward on the flood), and several boat sites are only comfortable around slack water.

Best in calm seas and certainly not when an easterly is running (Leven Scuba Club); heavy swell makes it uncomfortable.

Drop close to the cape and follow the narrow boulder reef along the shore at 3-6 m, returning the same way. Turn the dive at half gas (thirds where current or overhead sections are involved), deploy an SMB before surfacing for the live-boat pick-up, and complete a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m where depth allows.

No confirmed commercial dive operator on the north-west coast as of 2026 (older guides mention dive services in Wynyard and Devonport - verify). Sites are dived mainly by the Leven Scuba Club (Ulverstone), other north-west club members and visiting divers with their own boats; Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) runs occasional northern trips.