Bathurst Channel is one of Tasmania’s most usual, environmentally sensitive and difficult dive locations. It is strongly recommended that you dive with a licensed commercial diver company. These companies know the best and safest places to dive and will share their intimate knowledge of the fascinating marine life.
Know before you go
Divers must be highly skilled are be prepared for:
Cold water: the water temperature is between 10°C and 18°C. Drysuits (7 or 9mm) are recommended.
Dark water: Below 6 metres it is completely dark depending on the amount of recent rainfall. It is like diving at night. This is created by the deep layer of dark, tannin-rich freshwater which overlies tidal saltwater.
Strong currents: Frequent strong tidal currents flowing through the channel may make diving difficult or impossible. These currents are hard to predict and sometimes corresponds more with passing weather systems and air pressure, rather from tidal fluctuations. Currents flow faster after periods of very wet weather.
Changing buoyancy: As you descend through the layers of freshwater and denser salt water (known as halocline) your buoyancy changes rapidly. You must be able to adjust your buoyancy to maintain control and avoid accidental damage to delicate marine environment and seafloor.
The depth of halocline varies seasonally and through the length of the channel.
Low visibility: Visibility is reduced following wet weather when increased freshwater runoff causes greater turbulence. Generally, visibility is best during Autumn.
Take care of the environment you have come to see
- Dive in groups of five or less people to minimise turbulence and accidental damage to the seafloor or marine invertebrates.
- Avoid anchor drag within sensitive areas. Live dive (with the boat operator remaining aboard without using an anchor). This is to prevent strong currents dragging across colonies of sea pens and other fragile invertebrates
- Watch your fin kicks and keep your equipment close to you body to avoid damage and sediment disturbance.
- Clean all your gear prior to entering the marine reserve to minimise the accidental introduction of marine pests
- Respect the no take and restricted take zones
- Respect the no dive or anchor zones. These locations have been set aside to protect a representative sample of Bathurst Channels marine communities. They are located alongside popular diving areas to enable impacts of diving in adjacent area to be easily assessed.