Most local diving conducted by LSC members takes place along The North West Coast of Tasmania, mainly between Stanley in the West and Port Sorell to the East. This region forms the western portion of the southern boundary of Bass Strait. The shoreline includes numerous cliffs, sand and pebble beaches, headlands, bays and islands. Favourite dive spots include Stanley, Rocky Cape, Sisters Beach, Boat Harbour, Wynyard, Doctors Rocks, Mersey Bluff, Horseshoe Reef, Port Sorell and Badgers Head..

 are many off-shore reefs, bommies, walls, swimthroughs and canyons with kelp beds, tesselated pavements, boulders, sponge gardens and sandy expanses. Bass Strait is quite shallow and the diving depth in most places generally varies between 6 and 20 Metres. While the shallow depths are a bonus for the open water certificate diver, the strait is prone to being whipped up by strong winds. During the winter months, savage westerlies make diving difficult while in early summer it is not unusual for easterly winds to have the same effect. There are very few sheltered diveable waterways which are protected from East-West weather and swells.

When Bass Strait itself is undiveable, excellent sheltered shore diving can be found in the Tamar Estuary an hours drive to the east of Devonport. Good spots are the Monument at Georgetown, Kelso and Garden Island. Tamar diving is highly dependant on the tides and divers unfamiliar with the area should seek out someone experienced with these sites.

Southerly winds and swells which often wreck east coast diving generally signal the best conditions in this neck of the woods. While Bass Strait can resemble a washing machine during winter storms, there are weeks when it is a millpond. Some days you can see the reflection of the clouds in the water. The shallow nature of the strait also means that tidal currents can be cause for concern. Always check the tide tables and weather conditions before venturing forth.

Tasmania is regarded for having some of the worlds best temperate diving locations. Temperate, to many people means cold and there is no denying that the water temperature is far from balmy tropical. Water temps range from 12 deg in Winter to 18 deg in Summer. From late December to late April one can get by with a 5 mill wetsuit, but outside these months a 7 mm semidry or drysuit is recommended. Perhaps of greater concern is the air temperature and divers should endeavour to stay warm after leaving the water.

Like most places in the world, the best dives are to be had from a boat. Good shore dives are possible from many spots in the right conditions but to get to the choice reefs and bommies, transport is required. Most available boats can carry a maximum of 3 or 4 divers with their gear so some pre-planning is essential for large outings.

Much of the underwater scenery along the North West coast is very pretty. Quartzite reefs and granite shelves have created homes to a wide variety of flora & fauna. The sponge gardens which are a hallmark of Tasmanian diving are evident in many locations as are expanses of Yellow Zoanthids, along with Gorgonian Seafans, Crinoids, Ascidians and Sea whips. One can expect to see, (but not in the same spots or on the same dive) the following sea creatures:

Old Wifes, Boarfish, Zoanthids, Magpie Perch, Trevally, Ascidians, Wrasse, Cod, Nudibranch, Zebrafish, bastard Trumpeter, Banded Stingaree, Draughtboard Sharks, Leatherjackets, Warty Prow Fish, Angler Fish, Sea Stars, Crays, Abalone, Gorgonia Fans, Bulls Eyes, Sea Dragons, Sea Horses, Black Rays, Bryozoans.

NAME	DEPTH (M)	COMMENTS
Port Sorell Estuary	8 -15	Several good sites in the estuary. One excellent at Penguin Island. with sponge gardens. All are boat dives. Dives in estuary proper can only be done on high tide. Some good sites at the mouth expect nudi's, seahorses
Reefballs	20	One of two artificial reefs established by the LSC. A boat dive for the experienced diver and situated off Moorlands Beach. Artificial marine habitat created out of concrete reefballs. Currently home to sponges, bryzoans, crabs, ascidians, cowfish, rays silverbellies, perch, and cephalopods
Horseshoe Reef	2 - 18	Fairly uninspiring at shallower depths but out to sea there are more interesting rocky features. Reef forms ancient coastline  Definetely the pick of the Devonport dives. Lots of kelp, seastars nudibranch, wrasse, Magpie & Barber,Banded Morwong, Ascidians, Bryzoa, Perch, Sponges. Cuttlefish etc etc. Boat Dive
Devonport Breakwater	2 - 4	Eastern side of Mersey Breakwater can be dived if no easterly blowing. Some bits of wreck about and kelp forest. Really a snorkel dive
Mersey Bluff	5 - 9	Can be attempted as a shore dive but better from a boat in calm weather. A nice long dive is possible. Small but well defined features with interesting marine life, expect, cuttlefish, abalone, nudibranch,leatherjackets, seastars, anenomes, Magpie Perch
The Seal	28 - 30	The other Leven SCUBA Club artificial reef. Wreck of the 66ft Seal situated 5 K off Don Heads. For the experienced diver only due to depth. Largely broken up and home to a couple of varieties of cod. Nice in summer
Don Heads	5 - 9	Another easy long dive (in the right conditions) in the same vein as Mersey Bluff. Can be attempted as a shore dive Expect, Bullseyes, Trachinops, Wrasse, Leatherjackets, Magpie Perch
Eugenana (Melrose) Quarry	5 - 13	The only all year round all weather dive site on the NW Coast. An old limestone quarry that has filled with silt and rainwater over the years. Features freshwater eels, jellyfish, goldfish, the old mine workings and car bodies of various vintages.
Blackman Reef	5 - 10	A shore dive right in the middle of Burnie. A shallow reef extending about 300 Metres from shore at the eastern end of West Beach Reserve. Good for invertebratre life
Wynyard Area	3 - 20	An extensive reef system ranging from 2 to 8 Kilometres off shore. Best done as a boat dive. Dive sites such as steps reef, sanctuary, Golden Canyon, Zoo offer excellent diving for all. Kelp beds, rocky walls, pinnacles, zoanthids, sponge gardens galore!.
Table Cape	2 - 6	A dive best suited to calm seas and certainly not when an easterly is running. A narrow reef close to the cape with medium to large boulders. A boat dive only.
Fourth Sister	10 - 18	The Elusive Fourth Sister. An extension of the 3 Sisters near Ulverstone. A 300 Metre reef that terminates at a pinnacle. Affected by current and home to many pelagics and filter feeding life
Boat Harbour	2 - 15	Several easy shore dives. There are 3 main dives here. Either head out to Bird Island from either Crystal Bay or Boat Harbour Point, or chuck a left at the point and creep along the western edge and back. Alternatively, saunter into western bay, pick up the Fibre optic cable and wander out to the finger reefs. Good navigation is essential. Plenty to see, Boarfish, Trevally, Zebra fish, squid, seapens, rays, prowfish etc etc
Rocky Cape	5 - 25	A mix of shore and boat dives. Shore dives are possible from both sides of the cape  Popeyes Rock is popular in western conditions and on the other side Pebbly beach and the Boomer are the go if the easterlys arent too brisk. Seapen point is a magical dive in summer. The wreck of the Southern Cross is worth attempting in the right conditions
Sisters Beach - Sisters Island	5 - 25	Along with Rocky cape, the best collection of dive sites on the NW. Nearly all are boat dives except for the Glory Hole, to the east of Sisters Beach township. Around the area of Sisters Island are numerous reefs and bommies which support a wide variety of underwater features and life. Difficult to access if an easterly is running. Sisters Bommie is a favourite, easy to circumnavigate site. To the west of the boat ramp is Anniversery Point.
Stanley Wharf	2 - 15	A good no.... excellent shore dive if westerlies have wrecked everywhere else but pointless if an easterly has been running beforehand. Long walk Nasty climb down and back up the seawall but worth it. Giant Sponges, Skates, nudi's make this a real gem. Best as a boat dive really.
5 Mile Reef	25 50	Yes thats right. it starts at 25M. One of the few local dives where 30M vis can be experienced. A large offshore bommie brimming with pelagics. If it wasnt actually Tasmania you could squint your eyes and pretend your were on a tropical reef. Experienced divers and only from a live boat.
George Town	5 - 35	Not the NW coast but as far away from Devonport as Boat Harbour is. An easy shore dive if you get the tide right. Spectacular sponge gardens.
Wesley Vale Pipe	5 - 18	A good dive for new divers. Just follow the old outfall pipe until it gets a bit boring