Tasmania · 10 sites
King Island dive sites
King Island's reefs and its more than 60 recorded shipwrecks, including the Cataraqui (Australia's worst civilian maritime disaster) and the Loch Leven, sit in the path of the Roaring Forties, so diving is limited to calm easterly spells in summer. The reward is untouched kelp reef, crayfish and history.
- Sites
- 10
- Wrecks
- 6
- Shore
- 0
- Boat
- 7
- Beginner
- 1
- Deepest
- 18 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026January–April in easterly weather is the window for King Island's wrecks and kelp; spring westerlies keep most days off. Plan for late summer.
Getting there
Fly from Melbourne or Launceston. No dive services on the island; private or club trips only.
When to go
January to April after long calm spells.
Water & suit
Summer 16-18 °C · winter 12-13 °C. 7 mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots (or semi-dry); drysuit common, especially May-October
Nearest chamber: Royal Hobart Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Hobart) via aeromedical retrieval; The Alfred (Melbourne) may be reached faster by air from King Island. DAN 1800 088 200
Most recorded marine life in King Island
- Wrasse 6
- Crayfish 5
- Leatherjackets 5
- Bull kelp 4
- Magpie perch 4
- Long-snouted boarfish 3
- Gorgonian fans 2
- Sponges 2
- Anemones 1
- Banded morwong 1
- Crayfish (large) 1
- Crayfish and west coast reef fish 1
- Large schools of reef fish 1
- Ledge invertebrates 1
The most-dived sites in King Island
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to King 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 King Island plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with King Island's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Loch LevenWreck · Max 7 m · Open Water
- Blencathra (Currie)Wreck · Max 5 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to King Island for, including Cataraqui.
- The Supermarket (King Island)Reef · Max 8 m · Open Water
- CataraquiWreck · Max 7 m · Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of King Island.
- NetherbyWreck · Max 5 m · Open Water
- South Brig Rock (Grassy)Island · Max 18 m · Open Water
Map of King Island dive sites
Click a pin for the site.
Loading map…
10 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 10 King Island dive sites
All King Island sites at a glance
10 sites in King Island · click a column to sort
| Blencathra (Currie) | Wreck | Max 5 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Blowhole Reef (King Island) | Reef | Max 6 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Brahmin (King Island) | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Boat | Expedition |
| British Admiral | Wreck | Depth not published | Open Water | Boat | Expedition |
| Cataraqui | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Boat | Expedition |
| Loch Leven | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Netherby | Wreck | Max 5 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Sand Blow Gully (Grassy) | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| South Brig Rock (Grassy) | Island | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| The Supermarket (King Island) | Reef | Max 8 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
King Island diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in King Island?
Fly from Melbourne or Launceston. No dive services on the island; private or club trips only.
When is the best time to dive King Island?
January to April after long calm spells.
How many dive sites are there in King Island?
10 documented sites, including 6 wrecks. The deepest reaches 18 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in King Island?
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 King Island?
Typically 16-18 °C in summer and 12-13 °C in winter. Most divers wear 7 mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots (or semi-dry); drysuit common, especially May-October.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to King Island?
Royal Hobart Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Hobart) via aeromedical retrieval; The Alfred (Melbourne) may be reached faster by air from King Island. DAN 1800 088 200. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.