New South Wales · 16 sites
Narooma & Montague Island dive sites
Montague Island, 9 km off Narooma, is the seal dive of the east coast. Several hundred Australian and New Zealand fur seals haul out on the island and play with divers in the shallows; the deeper reefs, the Pinnacles, Shark Gutters and the Keyhole, have grey nurse sharks, kingfish and clear water pushed in by the East Australian Current.
- Sites
- 16
- Wrecks
- 1
- Shore
- 2
- Boat
- 13
- Beginner
- 5
- Deepest
- 40 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026Montague's fur seal colony is at its largest coming out of winter and the water is 15–16 °C; the Narooma boats run seal snorkels and dives daily when the bar allows. Grey nurse sharks are at the Pinnacles into spring.
Getting there
Four and a half hours south of Sydney. Charters leave from Narooma's harbour (crossing the bar can cancel trips); the town's Bar Beach and Mill Bay are shore dives.
When to go
Summer and autumn for the warmest, clearest water and the most active seals. The island is exposed and trips are weather-dependent year-round.
Water & suit
Summer 19–23 °C · winter 14–16 °C. 7 mm wetsuit with hood most of the year (5 mm adequate Feb–Apr); semi-dry or drysuit and gloves Jul–Oct
Nearest chamber: Prince of Wales Hospital Hyperbaric Unit (Randwick, Sydney)
Most recorded marine life in Narooma & Montague Island
- Blue groper 13
- Sponges 12
- Yellowtail 12
- Sweep 10
- Fur seals 9
- Red morwong 9
- Sea squirts 9
- Kelp 8
- Kingfish 7
- Gorgonians 6
- Leatherjackets 6
- Bullseyes 5
- Eastern blue devilfish 5
- One-spot pullers 5
Plan a dive trip to Narooma & Montague Island →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Narooma & Montague Island
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Narooma & Montague Island
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Narooma & Montague Island plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Narooma & Montague Island's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Narooma Bar BeachShore/Rock Platform · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
- Mystery BayShore/Rock Platform · Max 10 m · Snorkel/Any
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Narooma & Montague Island for, including the main wreck.
- Shark Gutters (Montague Island)Reef · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- The Pinnacles (Montague Island)Pinnacle/Bommie · Max 32 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Narooma & Montague Island.
- SS Lady DarlingWreck · Max 31 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- Aughinish RockPinnacle/Bommie · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Narooma & Montague Island
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Underwater Safaris Narooma
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Narooma · Narooma & Montague Island · NSW
A small-group Narooma operator running seal dives and snorkels at Montague Island (Barunguba) since 2014, with seasonal grey nurse shark dives.
underwatersafaris.com.au · 0415 805 479
CharterWildlife toursDestinationPADI3 services17 sites
Indepth Scuba
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Belconnen · Jervis Bay · NSW
A Canberra operation that functions as both a training school and a life-support service facility, with cylinder testing and a full range of gas fills.
indepthscuba.com.au · (02) 6251 1070
Full serviceTrainingRetail10 services
Lady of the Sea Diving Academy
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Tuggeranong (Canberra, ACT) · Jervis Bay · NSW
A Canberra operation with an unusually complete set of facilities for an inland centre, including an onsite pool, classroom, retail shop and dive boat.
ladyofthesea.com.au · +61 407 487 735
Full serviceTrainingRetailPADI11 services
Ocean Hut
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Narooma · Narooma & Montague Island · NSW
A Sydney dive equipment business. Retail range, servicing and training availability require verification.
(02) 4476 2278
Retail1 services
Narooma Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Narooma · Narooma & Montague Island · NSW
Charter boat (Montague Island tours, whale watching, fishing and diving), operating since 1983.
naroomacharters.com.au · 0407 909 111
15 sites
Map of Narooma & Montague Island dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 7 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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9 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 16 Narooma & Montague Island dive sites
All Narooma & Montague Island sites at a glance
16 sites in Narooma & Montague Island · click a column to sort
| Aughinish Rock | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Bubble Cave (Montague Island) | Cave/Cavern | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Lighthouse Bay (Montague Island) | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Montague Island Seal Colony | Island | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Daily |
| Mystery Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Rare |
| Narooma Bar Beach | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Weekly |
| Neverfail Reef | Reef | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Old Wharf (Montague Island) | Jetty/Pier | Max 8 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Potato Point | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Shark Gutters (Montague Island) | Reef | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| SS Lady Darling | Wreck | Max 31 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| The Keyhole (Montague Island) | Reef | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| The Ledges (Montague Island) | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| The Pinnacles (Montague Island) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 32 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| The Plateau (Montague Island) | Drift | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Yellowfin Alley (Montague Island) | Reef | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
Narooma & Montague Island diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Narooma & Montague Island?
Four and a half hours south of Sydney. Charters leave from Narooma's harbour (crossing the bar can cancel trips); the town's Bar Beach and Mill Bay are shore dives.
When is the best time to dive Narooma & Montague Island?
Summer and autumn for the warmest, clearest water and the most active seals. The island is exposed and trips are weather-dependent year-round.
How many dive sites are there in Narooma & Montague Island?
16 documented sites, including 1 wreck and 2 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 40 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Narooma & Montague Island?
Yes, 5 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Narooma & Montague Island?
Typically 19–23 °C in summer and 14–16 °C in winter. Most divers wear 7 mm wetsuit with hood most of the year (5 mm adequate Feb–Apr); semi-dry or drysuit and gloves Jul–Oct.
Which dive centres operate in Narooma & Montague Island?
Underwater Safaris Narooma, Indepth Scuba, Lady of the Sea Diving Academy, Ocean Hut, Narooma Charters are recorded as running sites in Narooma & Montague Island. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Narooma & Montague Island?
Prince of Wales Hospital Hyperbaric Unit (Randwick, Sydney). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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