Dive Site: Broughton Island

About Broughton Island

Broughton Island is an offshore island reef located approximately 25 kilometers north of Port Stephens, making it a signature diving destination accessible via boat from Nelson Bay. It is a vital part of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park and is particularly celebrated for its dramatic topography and abundant marine life. The island's main draw is a unique feature known as "The Looking Glass," a narrow cleft or arch in the rock that divers can swim through. Depths around Broughton Island range from 8 meters at the top of features like The Looking Glass, down to a maximum popular depth of 25 meters, with some areas reaching 28 meters. The underwater landscape features boulder reefs, lush kelp forests, and open blue water, providing a diverse environment for various species. This site stands out for consistently offering the best visibility in the Nelson Bay area. Broughton Island is a critical habitat and aggregation site for protected grey nurse sharks, which are a common sight for divers. Beyond these majestic creatures, you can expect to encounter schooling bullseyes and kingfish, along with occasional sightings of unique species like the eastern blue devil fish. The marine park status ensures a rich ecosystem with over 400 species of fish and more than 200 species of nudibranchs recorded in the broader Nelson Bay region. Diving here typically involves boat trips, with operators departing from Nelson Bay. While some areas are suitable for advanced divers due to potential surge, the overall experience is rewarding for those seeking larger marine life encounters and spectacular underwater scenery. Planning your trip around favorable conditions, particularly for sunlit dives through features like The Looking Glass, enhances the experience significantly.

Dive site facts: Broughton Island

Depth

8–28 m

Current

Moderate, with surge at specific sites

Visibility

8–25 m

Water temperature

16–23°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced recommended (due to surge)

Dive type

Reef, mega-fauna, swim-through

Night dive

Possible at select sites (Nelson Bay region)

Region / port

Nelson Bay, Australia

Coordinates

32.6100° S, 152.2700° E

Conditions & Currents

Broughton Island, being an offshore site, can experience moderate currents, which are typical for areas with rich marine life. Specific sites like The Looking Glass are known for surge, making them genuinely advanced dives where understanding current direction and planning for movement is crucial. During a drift dive, careful attention to the briefing is essential, covering entry procedures, descent timing, and exit plans, as divers rely on currents to move along the reef. In The Looking Glass, divers must stay in single file, typically on one side, to allow bubbles to rise on one side while grey nurse sharks remain on the other. Agreeing as a group whether to ride or fight the surge is important, and maintaining excellent buoyancy control is paramount, especially in shallow sections where surfacing inadvertently must be avoided. Visibility at Broughton Island is generally the best in th

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey Nurse Shark

common

Bullseye

common

Kingfish

common

Eastern Blue Devil Fish

rare

Cuttlefish

occasional

Numbfish

occasional

Dolphin

occasional

Grouper

occasional

Porcupinefish

occasional

Pufferfish

occasional

Starfish

occasional

Whale

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Broughton Island typically begin with a boat entry, often at The Looking Glass. Upon descent, the protocol for entering the main swim-through involves divers proceeding in single file, usually along the left side of the arch. This ensures that exhaled bubbles rise on one side, leaving the other clear for grey nurse sharks, which are practically guaranteed residents. The depth within The Looking Glass varies from 18 meters, rising to 8 meters at its shallowest point, and then dropping back to 13 meters on the other side, which opens into a natural 'fish bowl' area. Divers must maintain excellent buoyancy control, especially through the shallower sections, to avoid uncontrolled ascents. The dive often includes exploring nearby walls or caves before entering the main arch. The turn point is typically after passing through The Looking Glass, allowing divers to enjoy the vibrant marine life in the subsequent aquarium-like environment. Safety stops are conducted in shallower, calmer waters, often within the fish bowl or along the outer reef structure.

Underwater photography

Broughton Island offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, making lens choice a key decision. For capturing the dramatic swim-through of The Looking Glass and the resident grey nurse sharks, a wide-angle lens is ideal, especially on sunny days when the light plays beautifully through the arch. When photographing sharks, maintain a respectful distance and avoid aggressive movements. For the intricate sponge gardens and diverse macro life found in the wider Nelson Bay region, a macro lens is essential. Buoyancy control is paramount, particularly within the narrow and surge-prone sections of The Looking Glass, to avoid disturbing the environment or stirring up sediment. Consider using external strobes or video lights to illuminate the vibrant colors of the reef and marine inhabitants, especially in deeper or shadowed areas.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• North Rock

  A smaller rock just north of Broughton Island, also offering spectacular diving and large marine life.

• Fly Point

  A shore reef in Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, known for weedy seadragons, wobbegongs, and macro life, requiring dives at slack high tide.

• Halifax Park

  A deeper extension of Fly Point, featuring sponge and gorgonian walls, cuttlefish, octopus, and excellent temperate macro diving.

Getting there & logistics

Broughton Island is accessed by boat trips departing from Nelson Bay, located approximately 220 km north of Sydney, making it an easy drive for a weekend trip. Nelson Bay itself is part of Port Stephens, a popular holiday destination. The nearest recompression chamber is approximately 210 km away. There are no liveaboards operating directly to Broughton Island, but two local dive centers, Lets Go Adventures and Feet First Dive Pty Ltd, offer trips to the site. While there is a marine park, no specific marine park fees are mentioned for diving Broughton Island directly. Visitors should plan for boat dive costs, with a typical single dive costing around $90. It's advisable to check tide charts in advance, as local dive stores can assist with planning for optimal conditions, especially if combining boat dives with shore dives in the wider Nelson Bay area.

Safety & environment

Diving at Broughton Island requires careful attention to safety, particularly due to the potential for moderate currents and surge at specific sites like The Looking Glass. Divers must maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid uncontrolled ascents or contact with reef structures, especially in shallow or narrow sections. For areas with surge, agreeing as a group whether to ride or fight the current is crucial for maintaining buddy teams and overall safety. The nearest recompression chamber is located approximately 210 km away from Nelson Bay. Divers should ensure they have adequate dive insurance to cover potential medical emergencies and evacuation. Always follow the dive briefing meticulously, paying close attention to entry and exit procedures, depth limits, and communication signals. Given the critical habitat status for grey nurse sharks, respectful interaction and adherence to established protocols are essential to protect both divers and marine life.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Broughton Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Broughton Island

These liveaboards may visit Broughton Island on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Spoilsport

Australia

28 guests30 m

$409/day

Odyssey Liveaboard

Australia

20 guests24 m

$392/day