Bass Flinders
Protected Area
Shiprock
Why dive here
With 199+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, bull sharks, dolphins, dugongs and great white sharks - Bass Flinders offers some of Sydney & New South Wales's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 18-23°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Bass and Flinders wrecks, sitting out from Port Hacking, are a Sydney standout for a reason. These two tugboats, sunk as an artificial reef back in 1974, are now completely draped in growth. We love dropping down onto these because they feel less like a sharp, angular wreck and more like a craggy reef, completely taken over by nature. You’ll find walls of yellow zoanthids and colourful sponges, especially on the more intact Flinders. Exploring the wheelhouse and engine room is easy, with plenty of swim-throughs to keep things interesting. Visibility here can be a bit of a mixed bag, as it often is around Sydney, but on a good day, it’s brilliant. We’ve seen huge schools of yellowtail scad swirling around the mast, and the resident wobbegongs are usually tucked into a crevice somewhere. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs and flatworms grazing on the growth. The Bass and Flinders are a fantastic dive for anyone comfortable with a bit of current and keen to spend an hour poking around a truly colonised wreck.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Bass Flinders Wreck History
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown
Named in honor of the legendary explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders, who charted much of Australia's coastline, this Sydney dive site evokes a spirit of adventure. While the origins of any specific wreckage here are unclear, the name itself promises a journey of discovery. The site is a popular destination for local divers, offering a chance to explore the vibrant underwater world of New South Wales.
Descending into these waters, divers are more likely to be greeted by bustling schools of fish and colorful invertebrates than the clear outline of a lost ship. The dive is one of exploration through a rich marine ecosystem, following in the spirit of the site's namesakes to uncover the natural treasures hidden just off the Sydney coast.
Nearest Dive Centres to Bass Flinders
Dive shops near Bass Flinders
Aquatic Explorers
Abyss Scuba Diving
Dive Centre Bondi
SEA LIFE - SYDNEY AQUARIUM
Eunoia Freediving
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Reviews for Bass Flinders
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Bass Flinders
Bass Flinders Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Bass Flinders, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.18, 151.63) (7km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
20°C
67°F · Range: 18.5–20.7°C
Air Temperature
17°C
63°F
Wind Speed
5.95 m/s
11.6 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1016.2 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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