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Diving Jervis Bay: Smugglers Cave
Smugglers Cave is one of those sites that really makes Jervis Bay something very special. Facing almost due north on a small point north of the entrance to Jervis Bay, Smugglers Cave is a site that can safely be enjoyed by divers of all levels. As its close into the cliffs outside the bay, Smugglers Cave can only be dived during fairly flat conditions.The entrance to the cave lies in about 10-13m, with a pile of rocks over the entrance. Entering the main cavern, there is an abundance of fishlife including old wives, yellowtail, sweep, wobbygong sharks, port jackson sharks, groper and the other usual inhabitants. This main cavern is safe to dive, as the diver can safely surface anywhere in the cavern, and exit it on the surface.
Off to the left (pointing roughly east) is a tunnel that opens up to the open ocean about 60m away. You cannot surface in this area, and only trained cavern divers should enter.
Outside the main entrance is a series of boulders that make interesting haunts for fish, and its really worth spending a lot of time exploring this area. For more experienced divers, there is a wall about 50m north of the cavern entrance dropping down beyond 35m. You can start you dive here, go deep, then work up into the wall, all the while performing a multilevel profile using your computer or the PADI Wheel. I’ve had dives of over 45 minutes, with max depths of 35m+.
If you get the chance to dive Smugglers Cave, take it, its one of those sites you’ll only get to rarely and its more than worth the effort.