Diving & Travel Guide to Tasmania – East Coast

About Tasmania – East Coast

Tasmania's East Coast is one of Australia's most spectacular temperate diving destinations, where cold Southern Ocean waters create an extraordinary underwater world of giant kelp forests, vibrant sponge gardens, and marine life found nowhere else on Earth. The region stretches from Bicheno in the north to Maria Island in the south, with each section offering distinct diving experiences amid some of Tasmania's most stunning coastal scenery. Bicheno serves as the gateway to Governor Island, Paradise Reef, and Waubs Bay, where divers encounter the remarkable giant kelp forests that can grow up to 30 meters tall, creating underwater cathedrals of golden fronds teeming with fish and invertebrates. Maria Island, a national park and former convict settlement accessible by ferry from Triabunna, offers exceptional diving at Darlington, the SS Troy wreck, Painted Cliffs, and Ile des Phoques, where Australian fur seals provide playful encounters alongside diverse reef fish and vibrant invertebrate communities. The East Coast's cold, nutrient-rich waters support a biodiversity that rivals tropical reefs, with giant sea spiders, colorful nudibranchs, weedy sea dragons, and the endemic Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish in the estuarine systems. The water clarity is exceptional, with visibility regularly exceeding 20 meters, and the absence of crowds makes every dive feel like an exploration. The dramatic coastal scenery, including the Painted Cliffs, Freycinet Peninsula, and the pristine beaches of the Bay of Fires, adds a stunning above-water dimension to any diving holiday.

Highlights

• ✓Giant kelp forests creating spectacular underwater cathedrals up to 30m tall
• ✓Maria Island – national park diving with seal encounters and the SS Troy wreck
• ✓Exceptional water clarity with visibility regularly exceeding 20 meters
• ✓Governor Island and Paradise Reef at Bicheno with diverse marine life
• ✓Endemic marine species found only in Tasmanian waters
• ✓Stunning coastal scenery including Freycinet Peninsula and Bay of Fires

Getting There

Tasmania's East Coast is accessed via Hobart Airport (HBA) or Launceston Airport (LST), both receiving direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Bicheno is approximately 2.5 hours north of Hobart via the Tasman Highway, while Maria Island is reached by a 30-minute ferry from Triabunna, approximately 1 hour from Hobart. Freycinet National Park, one of Tasmania's most iconic destinations, is located between Bicheno and Triabunna. Dive operators are based in Bicheno and Triabunna, running trips to the offshore islands and reefs. A rental car is essential for exploring the East Coast, as public transport is very limited. The scenic coastal drive from Hobart to Bicheno via the Tasman Peninsula and Freycinet is one of Australia's most beautiful road trips.