New South Wales · 6 sites
Yamba & Iluka dive sites
The Clarence River mouth splits Yamba and Iluka, and both have breakwall and reef dives on the rising tide, plus the Iluka Bluff and the offshore Solitary-style reefs of the Yamba coast. The area is quiet and locally dived.
- Sites
- 6
- Wrecks
- 0
- Shore
- 1
- Boat
- 2
- Beginner
- 1
- Deepest
- 30 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The Yamba shore sites and Green Point work on a high, rising tide when the Clarence is not running dirty; spring is variable, with the best days after a run of westerlies. No shop in town; bring gear from Coffs or Byron.
Getting there
Three hours south of Brisbane. Shore entries at the breakwalls; occasional charters from Yamba.
When to go
Calm days on a rising or high tide, when the river run-off is pushed back.
Water & suit
Summer 22-26 °C · winter 19-22 °C. 3-5 mm full suit
Nearest chamber: Gold Coast University Hospital (Southport) hyperbaric unit; Wesley Hospital (Brisbane) for complex cases
Most recorded marine life in Yamba & Iluka
- Nudibranchs 4
- Wobbegongs 4
- Bream 3
- Kingfish 3
- Turtles 3
- Blue groper 2
- Bull rays 2
- Grey nurse sharks (seasonal) 2
- Mulloway 2
- Snapper 2
- Anemones 1
- Bullseyes 1
- Drummer 1
- Estuary cod 1
Plan a dive trip to Yamba & Iluka →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Yamba & Iluka
Suggested trip
A 2-day dive trip to Yamba & Iluka
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 Yamba & Iluka plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Yamba & Iluka's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Turners Beach / Clarence River breakwallsShore/Rock Platform · Max 10 m · Open Water
- Mara Creek reefsReef · Max 10 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Yamba & Iluka for.
- Yamba BommiePinnacle/Bommie · Max 25 m · Advanced Open Water
- Yamba – Pinnacle / Freeburn Island reefsReef · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Yamba & Iluka
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Yamba & Iluka dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 3 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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3 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 6 Yamba & Iluka dive sites
All Yamba & Iluka sites at a glance
6 sites in Yamba & Iluka · click a column to sort
| Angourie Point / Green Point reef | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Iluka Bluff / Woody Head reefs | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Mara Creek reefs | Reef | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Turners Beach / Clarence River breakwalls | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Yamba – Pinnacle / Freeburn Island reefs | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Yamba Bommie | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
Yamba & Iluka diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Yamba & Iluka?
Three hours south of Brisbane. Shore entries at the breakwalls; occasional charters from Yamba.
When is the best time to dive Yamba & Iluka?
Calm days on a rising or high tide, when the river run-off is pushed back.
How many dive sites are there in Yamba & Iluka?
6 documented sites and 1 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 30 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Yamba & Iluka?
Yes, 1 site is 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 Yamba & Iluka?
Typically 22-26 °C in summer and 19-22 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3-5 mm full suit.
Which dive centres operate in Yamba & Iluka?
Yamba Dive are recorded as running sites in Yamba & Iluka. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Yamba & Iluka?
Gold Coast University Hospital (Southport) hyperbaric unit; Wesley Hospital (Brisbane) for complex cases. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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