Highlights

Two zoanthid species in Tinderbox Marine Reserve

We think the Bruny Bio-region is a special place because of the diverse habitats and equally diverse marine life that is significant nationally. You can find out more in the Creature Feature and Dive Site pages of our Dive Blog but here are some of what we think are the highlights in no particular order:

MARINE RESERVES – we love Tinderbox and Ninepin Point Marine Reserves for their diversity of marine life, particularly the invertebrates

KELP FORESTS – the giant string kelp, or macrocystis pyrifera, forests provide an unforgettable snorkelling or scuba experience, with year-round forests off Bruny Island

BETSEY ISLAND SHIPS GRAVEYARD – wrecks and sunken bridge pontoons provide accessible wreck diving including penetrations in relatively shallow water compared to mainland states and this is one of the rare places where you can explore several wrecks on the one dive

SPOTTED HANDFISH – a critically endangered species only found in the Derwent estuary

A female Spotted Handfish with her egg mass

TASMANIAN NUMBFISH – a small skate that will deliver a mild shock if handled. It’s found in far deeper waters on the mainland but can be seen on shallow dives in Tasmania

WEEDY SEADRAGONS AND SEAHORSES – always popular with snorkellers and scuba divers

CORALS – yes, we have corals – octocorals, encrusting corals, sea whips and gorgonia

Gorgonia, seawhips and seastar at Tinderbox, with a seahare hiding in the corner

SEA PENS – the Tinderbox Marine Reserve is one of the most accessible places where you’ll see these invertebrates

SPONGE BEDS – sponges of all shapes, sizes and colours in the Channel and around Bruny and Betsey Islands

LAKE ILLAWARRA – a more challenging and demanding wreck dive for those with deep and low visibility experience

TANNIN-RICH WATERS – the presence of large estuaries such as the Derwent and Huon Rivers can lead to high levels of tannin in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, which provides an experience that is like diving in a cup of tea. The darker tannin-rich waters, that originate in buttongrass plains and forests, result in deeper water species being found in much shallower water than otherwise.