International Women's Day Double Dive: Two Guided Shark and Reef Dives from Mosquito Bay

At 7:00 a.m. on the South Coast of New South Wales, Beneath The Bay runs a two‑dive morning that drops experienced divers into the clear Tasman Sea off Long Beach. Meeting at Mosquito Bay Boat Ramp, Lilli Pilli, this roughly four‑hour expedition ferries small groups to a rotation of reef sites—Tollgate Islands, Black Rock, Burrewarra (“Burri”) Point, Jimmies Island and, on rare days, Brush Island at Bawley Point. Each site is carved from older volcanic and sandstone shelves and framed by fringing coral gardens and kelp stands that shelter nudibranchs, giant cuttlefish and shoals of leatherjacket and trevally. The trip’s headline appeal is close encounters with sharks, from lazy bottom‑resting wobbegongs to active reef species, alongside dense reef life that rewards careful, buoyant swimming.

Beneath The Bay runs fully guided dives with qualified Divemasters; divers must present an Open Water Scuba Diver certificate, be aged 12 or older, and either have logged regular dives in the past 12–24 months or complete a refresher beforehand. Groups stay deliberately small—maximum eleven—so guides can manage profiles, point out macro subjects and keep sensitive sites intact. Typical timing includes a short boat briefing, a 45‑minute first dive, a surface interval back at Mosquito Bay where a café and toilets are available, and a second 45‑minute dive before the return.

What makes this operator stand out locally is the focus on grounded, repeatable encounters with local ecology rather than high‑turnaround trophy dives. The captain and deckhands work from a straightforward ramp launch at Mosquito Bay, minimizing transit and maximizing bottom time; gear hire options include full sets and nitrox fills for certified nitrox divers. Weather determines the exact site on the day, so expect flexibility and knowledgeable route choices when swell or wind come into play.

Practical notes: bring your Open Water certificate, a reef‑safe sunscreen, and a light jacket for chillier mornings. Plan not to fly for 24–48 hours after diving. For photographers, a wide‑angle dome port and strong strobes will capture reef structure and shark silhouettes; macro setups reward patient drift work. For visitors staying in Long Beach or nearby coastal towns, this morning double dive is an efficient window into a vigorous south coast marine environment where attentive guiding and compact boats deliver memorable, conservation‑minded diving.

Expect clear check‑in instructions in your booking: plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early at Mosquito Bay Boat Ramp, look for the Beneath The Bay vessel, and have your Open Water certification ready. Tours generally require a minimum of six divers to operate; if numbers fall short, the operator may reschedule. If you have medical conditions, complete the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire and seek GP clearance where necessary. The crew enforces safety and no‑touch rules.