Shellharbour’s Bass Point has one of my favourite shore dive sites: the Gutter. 

The Gutter is at the north-eastern end of Bass Point. Go early to get a car park. Whilst standing facing north, the Gutter is easy to find. It’s a short rock hop down to the entry/exit spot. Watch how the swell affects the ledges, and have a think about how the area may behave if the nor’easter gets up or the tide changes.

After entering the water, swim on the surface using compass north until you can’t see the bottom, then keep heading north. The depth gradually increases from about 12m to a maximum of 24m. 

There are a variety of low-rise reefs and drop-offs covered in sea tulips, a few gorgonian fans, brown, red and green seaweeds, bryozoans and many types of sponge. At times the fish life can be rich and varied with red morwongs, red rock cod, beardies, various wrasse species, half banded sea perch and leatherjackets among the sea-bed dwellers, and one-spot pullers, mado, yellowtail and southern sea pike living just above or in the water column proper.

Because of the long swim, it’s easy to get low on air or bottom time. Swim south until you reach the rock wall that defines the Gutter and say hello to the groper near the big rock that marks the way home.

On two occasions I have seen whales while gearing up to get in the water. I have also seen the only giant salp I have ever seen in almost 40 years of scuba. It’s a varied spot!

Watch more of Duncan's videos at Illawarra Underwater on YouTube