GOVERNOR ISLAND MARINE RESERVE
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| Type of dive: |
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Reef |
| Snorkelling: |
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Yes, the wave deflection wall is excellent! |
| Scuba: |
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Advanced (Deep Diver recommended) |
| Access: |
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Boat only (5 minutes) |
| Depth: |
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6 – 38 metres (20-125’) |
| Visibility: |
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15 – 35 metres (50-115’) |
| Water temperature: |
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12 – 17°C (54-63°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, but the winter diving is fantastic! |
Governor Island Marine Reserve is the home of some of the best temperate water diving in the world!
Most of these great temperate water dive sites are located around Governor Island, just offshore across Waubs Gulch. Only a short, five-minute boat ride from the Bicheno boat ramp!
Bicheno is a small fishing village on the east coast of Tasmania, north of the Freycinet Peninsula.
The Governor Island Marine Reserve is a fully protected no-take area which includes all waters and islands within 400 metres (450 yd) seaward to the east of the island.
Because of its location on the east coast of Tasmania, Bicheno is protected from prevailing southwesterlies common in southern Australia, and Governor Island provides protection from most other winds.
The protection from the winds makes Bicheno an almost perfect, all-year-round diving location.
The Bicheno Wave Deflection Wall is a fantastic snorkelling site.
The underwater terrain off Bicheno is made up of spectacular granite walls, boulders and tunnels, the perfect substrate for supporting an incredible array of temperate marine invertebrates.
In shallower waters, kelp provides perfect shelter for weedy seadragons and rare Tasmanian handfish, and the deeper you go the better the marine life gets.
In deeper water, huge schools of butterfly perch hover over rock bommies covered in delicate sea whips, jewel anemones, bright yellow zoanthids, a variety of colourful sponges and many sea stars.
The premier scuba site is Magic Garden which lays at the base of a series of vertical walls commencing in shallow water and extending to a depth of 38 metres (125‘). The walls also contain incredible tunnels lined in an amazing array of colourful, delicate marine life.
Magic Gardens requires Advanced certification and Deep Diver is highly recommended.
Dolphins, seals and whales are regular visitors to Bicheno’s protected waters.
Words cannot adequately describe the underwater beauty of Bicheno; it can only be truly appreciated by donning the scuba gear.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Other great dives to do while you are there:
Golden Bommies, Hedge Hog, Paradise Reef, Mr Whippy, Castle and Hairy Wall.
Local dive services:
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GO DIVE TASMANIA |
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TASMANIAN SCUBA DIVING CLUB + 61 (0) 419 003 687 |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay? |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Tasmania
Nearest City:
Hobart
Nearest Regional City:
Launceston
Nearest Town:
Bicheno
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Launceston/Hobart
Road:
Launceston to Bicheno:
2 hours (160 km/100 mi) via National Highway 1 and B34
Hobart to Bicheno:
2 hours 20 minutes (180 km/112 mi) via A3
Bus:
From Launceston or Hobart
Train:
Not available
Ferry:
Melbourne to Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania)
THINGS TO DO
East Coast Nature World
Bicheno Penguin Tours
Devils in the Dark
Bicheno Blowhole
Bicheno’s Motorcycle Museum & Restoration
Sea-All Fishing and Marine Tours
Bicheno’s Glass Bottom Boat
Freycinet Vineyards