Eastmans Beach is a shore dive off Tasmania that suits beginners well, with a straightforward entry and visibility reaching up to 30 metres in clear conditions. The reef runs from shallow water down to 30 metres in the deeper sections, giving you plenty to explore without pushing your limits. Current is variable, so check conditions before you get in. Cuttlefish and weedy seadragons are the highlights here, both slow-moving and fascinating to watch up close. Seals and dolphins also pass through, though sightings depend on the day. Water is cold year-round, so a drysuit or thick wetsuit is essential.

Mattingleys Beach offers one of Tasmania's most accessible shore dives, perfect for building your confidence in cold water diving. You'll walk straight into calm, protected waters where visibility ranges from clear to crystal clear at 30 metres, depending on recent weather and tides. The shallow seagrass beds here harbour an impressive variety of life that's easy to spot even for first-time divers. Weedy seadragons drift through the swaying grass alongside colourful wrasse and curious leatherjackets. Look closely among the fronds and you'll find octopus, sea stars, and anemones tucked into their preferred spots. Patches of kelp forest add vertical interest to your dive, swaying gently in the variable currents. The main consideration here is water temperature. You'll need at least a 7mm wetsuit or dry suit year-round, as Tasmanian waters stay cold even in summer. The shore entry is straightforward with good facilities including toilets and parking right at the site. The site works well across most months, making it a reliable option when you want to dive without complicated logistics. Take your time in the shallows and you'll be rewarded with close encounters with Tasmania's unique temperate marine life.

The Monument serves up proper deep diving in Tasmania's notoriously challenging waters, with depths reaching 40 metres that demand meticulous dive planning and decompression management. Shore access keeps things straightforward, but strong currents require solid finning technique and situational awareness throughout the dive. Visibility ranges from 5 to 12 metres, which feels generous considering the conditions, though you'll want a decent torch to spot the site's impressive array of macro life. The soft sponge growth coating the reef creates shelter for seahorses, cuttlefish and octopus, all of which reward patient observation. Nudibranchs patrol the substrate in surprising variety. Cold water temperatures mean you're looking at a drysuit or thick wetsuit, and nitrogen narcosis becomes a consideration at depth, particularly when trying to photograph skittish cuttlefish at 30 metres. The current picks up unpredictably, so keep an eye on your air consumption and no-decompression limits. December through March offers the most stable conditions, though 'stable' remains relative in Tasmanian waters. This isn't a casual dive. Bring your A-game, dive with an experienced buddy, and treat the depth and current with respect.