Black Rock Reef – Evans Head

Diving Black Reef Point, Evans Head

By ScubaDownUnder Team · 2025-09-20

# Evans Head Diving Black Reef Point off Evans Head on the Northern Rivers coast of New South Wales is one of those dive sites that locals whisper about with a knowing grin. It is not the easiest site to access, nor is it always forgiving with its currents, but for divers willing to make the effort, it delivers a raw and untamed underwater spectacle that rivals more famous east coast reefs.

## Setting the scene

Evans Head is a small coastal town south of Ballina and north of Yamba, better known for its fishing community than its diving. Yet just offshore lie several rocky reef systems and bommies that host a surprising diversity of marine life. Black Reef Point sits a few kilometres out, exposed to the Pacific swells, and feels very much like a frontier dive. Visibility can vary dramatically, from a soupy 5 metres to a sparkling 25 metres on the best days. Water temperatures generally range from 18°C in winter to 26°C in summer.

## The dive profile

The reef here drops away in a series of ledges and gutters, ranging between 10 and 30 metres in depth. These rocky formations are draped in soft corals and sponges, with schools of surgeonfish, kingfish and trevally sweeping past. The terrain has a rugged, volcanic feel, and many of the gutters provide shelter for larger predators. Currents can run strongly along the point, which is why this site is often recommended for advanced divers with drift experience.

## Marine life highlights

Black Reef Point is best known for its bigger animals. Grey nurse sharks are common visitors in winter and spring, cruising slowly around the gutters. In summer, leopard sharks and wobbegongs can be found resting on the sandy patches. Manta rays are occasionally seen passing overhead, particularly in the warmer months when plankton blooms drift through. Green turtles forage around the reef edges, and lucky divers may even encounter pods of dolphins that sometimes escort boats out to the site.

The fish life is prolific. Dense schools of yellowtail scad create shimmering clouds that attract packs of hunting kingfish. Sweetlips and morwong line the ledges, while inquisitive blue gropers often shadow divers along the reef. Macro enthusiasts are not left out either, with nudibranchs, shrimps and decorator crabs hiding among the sponges and soft corals.

## Diving experience

The dive itself is exhilarating. On a calm day with clear water, the reef glows with colour and life, making for unforgettable photography opportunities. On days when the current pushes, you get that fast-moving drift feeling, flying past rocky features while schools of pelagic fish surge beside you. Safety stops here can be entertaining too, with baitfish often darting beneath the boat while birds dive overhead.

Because of its offshore exposure, Black Reef Point is rarely crowded. Most dives are done with local charter boats, and you might find yourself sharing the site with only a handful of other divers. This adds to the sense of being on a special, little-known frontier reef.

## Practical considerations

- Skill level: Best for advanced divers with experience in currents. - Depth range: 10 to 30 metres. - Visibility: Highly variable, 5–25 metres. - Access: Boat dive from Evans Head. Limited operators, so plan ahead. - Seasonal highlights: Grey nurse sharks in winter, leopard sharks and mantas in summer.

## Why dive Black Reef Point

Black Reef Point is not polished or easy. It does not have the fame of Julian Rocks to the north or Fish Rock Cave further south. But its very rawness is its appeal. You never quite know what will show up, a squadron of eagle rays, a solitary hammerhead, or just the hypnotic dance of schooling fish in the blue. It is a dive that feels alive and unpredictable, a reminder that the best sites are sometimes those kept just slightly off the beaten track.

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*Planning a NSW dive trip? See our [region-by-region guide to the best places to dive in NSW](https://www.scubadownunder.com/blog/best-places-to-dive-in-nsw) for the full overview of dive sites across the state.*