

Best for beginner divers, 6-16m, boat entry, mild current.
Desoto Inlet is a boat-accessed reef and drift dive site located off Caves Beach, New South Wales. The site features depths ranging from 6 to 16 metres, with an average depth of 10 metres. Divers experience a mild current that facilitates relaxed drift diving across the reef structure. Conditions can vary, with visibility shifting from clear to murky with little warning. The site is suitable for beginner divers, though boat entry requires caution due to potential surf and shore break. Divers should manage their buoyancy carefully during descent to navigate the drift effectively. Typical dives at this location last approximately 30 minutes.
-33.16080, 151.63480
Plan the dive on slack water or low tide for the mildest current and surge.
Boat access only from Swansea, Norah Head, or Catherine Hill Bay boat ramps.
Recorded at this site
Depth
6-16m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
18-24°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
30 min
Best Time
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Yes, the site is considered suitable for beginner divers, offering a manageable depth range and mild currents.
The site ranges from 6 to 16 metres in depth, with an average depth of 10 metres.
This is a boat-accessed site, and a boat is required to reach the reef.
Water temperatures range from 18C to 24C throughout the year, with the warmest conditions occurring between January and April.
Divers should be aware of surf and shore break when entering or exiting from the boat.
Diving at Desoto Inlet in Swansea requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 5mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Desoto Inlet in Swansea. Water temperatures range from 18°C to 24°C.
The best months to visit Desoto Inlet in Swansea are April, May, June, September, October, and November. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.