Montague Island

Drift with the Seals: Diving Montague Island, Narooma

By ScubaDownUnder Team · 2025-06-28

## The Wild Pulse of the Tasman: Diving Montague Island Just off the coast of Narooma on the New South Wales South Coast, Montague Island is a diver’s playground carved from volcanic stone and steeped in marine life. Known to the Yuin people as Barunguba, this nature reserve rises abruptly from the sea 9 kilometres offshore, and beneath its lighthouse towers a wild, surging underwater world. From curious Australian fur seals to dusky whaler sharks and enormous schools of baitfish, Montague delivers big on spectacle, especially during the warm currents of late summer and autumn. ## Getting There and Conditions Most dives to Montague Island are arranged via charter boats out of Narooma’s harbour, with operators such as Montague Island Adventures and Island Charters Narooma offering daily departures. The boat ride takes about 20 minutes, and the journey itself is often punctuated by sightings of dolphins and humpbacks (June to November). Water temperatures vary from 16°C in winter to 22°C in summer, and visibility regularly exceeds 15 metres during calmer months, although swell can impact clarity around exposed reef sections. Most dive sites sit between 10 to 25 metres depth, making them suitable for Open Water divers with some boat experience. Surface conditions can be exposed, so seasickness prevention is wise. ## The Seals of Shark Gut The most iconic dive on the island is Shark Gut, a steep-sided gully bordered by rocky outcrops and home to a rambunctious colony of Australian fur seals. While the name suggests toothier creatures, it's the seals that steal the show. Playful, inquisitive, and utterly unafraid, they dart around divers like torpedoes, blowing bubbles and mimicking your movements. Diving with these agile marine mammals is both exhilarating and humbling. At Shark Gut, you descend onto a reef ledge before drifting into the channel where seals swirl above and below, using every inch of three-dimensional space. Visibility here is usually excellent, and when the sun streams in, the scene turns cathedral-like with shafts of blue light and flashes of seal silhouettes. ## The Northern Pinnacles and Big Blue Encounters North of the island lies a cluster of deeper pinnacles. This area is known for its pelagic visitors: kingfish, eagle rays, and the sleek, circling shapes of bronze whaler sharks. These sharks are common during the warmer months, drawn in by baitballs and reef activity. The sharks tend to be curious but non-aggressive, and many divers find the experience both safe and awe-inspiring under the watch of experienced guides. Soft corals, sponges, and the occasional grey nurse shark can also be spotted along the more rugged walls. Macro lovers can search for nudibranchs, cowries, and the elusive eastern blue devilfish tucked in the crevices, while turtle sightings are not uncommon in summer. ## Biodiversity and Conservation Montague Island is part of a marine reserve and home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in NSW. Underwater, the terrain shifts from kelp-covered boulders to sponge gardens and sheer walls. Fish life is abundant, including snapper, groper, morwong, bullseyes, and wrasse. This convergence of tropical and temperate species makes for a dynamic mix and unexpected encounters. The site’s protected status has helped marine life flourish, but the island itself is also part of ongoing seabird and weed management programs run by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Diving here supports ecotourism that directly contributes to the island’s preservation. ## Dive Logistics Best Season: November to May (for warmer water and marine life activity) - Depth Range: 10 to 25 metres - Certification Level: Open Water or higher - Entry: Boat only - Hazards: Surge, thermoclines, occasional current, boat traffic - Water Temperature: 16°C to 22°C - Highlights: Seals, sharks, seasonal rays, penguins on the surface ## After the Dive Back onshore, Narooma is a quiet coastal town that punches above its weight for hospitality. The inlet is ideal for a post-dive snorkel or kayak, and The Quarterdeck offers a solid feed with waterfront views. For a land-based wildlife encounter, take a boat tour to see the island’s penguin colony return at dusk. Montague Island offers a raw and untamed dive experience, equal parts thrill and connection. Whether you’re hovering eye-to-eye with a cheeky seal or watching sharks glide beneath a baitball, you’ll leave the island with a clear reminder of what our oceans still have to offer when we choose to protect them. ## Sources: NSW National Parks, Montague Island Nature Reserve Montague Island Adventures Island Charters Narooma

---

*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.*