Waubs Bay, located in the sleepy east coast town of Bicheno, is one of the easiest and most rewarding shore dives in Tasmania. These images are from a number of dives throughout 2008-09, but represent only a fraction of the biodiversity that can be seen on this magical little dive.

Entry is just 20m from where cars can be parked, on the left side of a concrete breakwater. Here a kelp-covered reef extends seaward for 100-200m in a northerly direction. Sometimes big rays, cuttlefish and squid can be spotted amongst the kelp. Goatfish, leatherjackets, brightly coloured seastars, sea horses and sea dragons are all common here. The reef eventually leads out to a bommie with a large split in it sitting in around 12m of water. The surface is covered with zoanthids and ascidians, and a number of large territorial fish live within the split in the rock. Resident boar fish, rock cod, trumpeter and marble fish are all reasonably used to strange neoprene-clad creatures and tend to ignore divers staring into their home. A leisurely swim along the sand or reef will take you back to your entry point.

This site tends to be well-protected in all but the lumpiest easterly swell, and the ability to virtually roll from the car straight into the water makes this dive a must-see for all levels of experience. If you're staying overnight in Bicheno, the bay also makes for a fantastic night dive.