If you go to dive Shiprock you need to make sure that you schedule your dive for the hour surrounding high tide. This is when conditions are best because the water here can have quite strong tidal currents. To access this site you need to walk down a steep path that begins at the end of Shiprock road. The site is easily recognized by a large rock protruding out of the water that resembles a ship. This is where the site gets its name.
Enter the water from a boat ramp and you can drop down to a depth of 2-3 metres. Swim east and the bottom slopes down to 6 metres and then you will come upon a wall that goes all the way down to 15 metres. Drop over the wall and head south until you reach a small bubble cave embedded in the wall. Opposite the wall are many large rocks that are covered in marine growth that attracts all sorts of fish. Sea horses and large schools of leatherjackets of all kinds can be found here.
There are also three bommies that are located in this area. The largest of the three has a moray eel inhabiting it. Anglerfish, red indianfish and blue swimmer crabs can be seen here too. Back along the wall there are many overhangs that are home to estuary catfish, cuttlefish, decorator crabs, moray and conger eels, pipefish and the rare pineapplefish.
Next Trip
