Diving Martin Island: The Ultimate Guide To Sydney's Only True Seal Dive
Peter Letts May 27, 2022
Martin Island seal diving · Port Kembla, NSW
Martin Island Seal Diving: A Practical Guide from Port Kembla
A short boat ride, wild Australian fur seals and a temperate reef adventure within day-trip reach of Sydney.
Martin Island—officially Martin Islet—is a small rocky islet in the Five Islands group off Red Point at Port Kembla, south of Wollongong. Seal-focused boat dives depart from Port Kembla Wharf, placing one of the NSW coast’s memorable wildlife dives within reach of Sydney for a day trip.
The attraction is simple: Martin Islet is a seasonal fur-seal haul-out—a place where seals leave the water to rest and socialise. Australian fur seals and long-nosed fur seals (also called New Zealand fur seals) may occur. They are wild animals, so their presence, numbers and behaviour change from day to day and can never be guaranteed. The best encounters come from calm observation, good buoyancy and respect for the legally required approach distances.
- Departure
- Port Kembla Wharf
- Who it suits
- Certified, recently active divers
- Trip format
- Single and double dives may be scheduled
- Wildlife
- Seal sightings are never guaranteed
Where is Martin Island?
Martin Islet is one of five islands in the Five Islands Nature Reserve. At about 2.3 hectares, it is more accurately described as an islet than an island, although “Martin Island” remains the familiar name used by local divers. It lies just offshore from Port Kembla and is reached by a short boat run from the wharf.
It is not in Sydney. The accurate description is a Port Kembla seal dive near Wollongong that can be reached as a day trip from Sydney. Travel time varies with your starting point and traffic, so use the meeting instructions in your booking confirmation rather than relying on a general drive-time estimate.
What a Martin Island seal dive feels like
Fur seals are fast, agile and naturally curious. You may see them resting on the rocks, cruising through the shallows or investigating the reef. Sometimes they are highly active; at other times they keep their distance or remain ashore.
Do not chase, touch, feed, corner or try to entice a seal. Maintain excellent buoyancy, keep your movements controlled and let the skipper’s wildlife briefing guide the dive. If a seal approaches, stay calm and move away slowly to restore the required distance.
The experience is rewarding precisely because it is unscripted. This is wildlife observation in the open ocean, not a managed animal encounter.
Responsible seal diving: the NSW distance rules
NSW approach distances apply to divers, swimmers, snorkellers and vessels. They protect the animals and give divers a clear framework for a safe, low-impact encounter.
Keep at least 10 metres away. If a seal swims towards you, remain calm and move away slowly.
Divers and vessels must remain at least 40 metres from a seal resting on the rocks.
Keep at least 80 metres away from a pup, whether it is in the water or hauled out.
Never feed, touch, chase, herd or block a seal’s path. Feeding marine mammals is illegal.
These are minimum distances, not targets. Give the animals more space whenever conditions, behaviour or the skipper’s instructions require it. Read the official NSW seal approach-distance rules before your trip.
Marine life beyond the seals
Martin Islet’s rocky reef supports a range of temperate marine life. Large smooth stingrays may glide across the reef, while local fish and invertebrates make the dive worthwhile even when the seals are quiet. Look carefully rather than racing from one animal encounter to the next.
Humpback whales migrate along the NSW coast seasonally, so a surface sighting from the boat may occur. It is a welcome bonus, not part of the promised dive, and an underwater whale encounter should never be expected.
Certification, depth and equipment
The exact site and dive profile depend on the sea conditions, wildlife location and the skipper’s plan. Abyss currently classifies the standard Martin Island profile as suitable for Open Water divers, typically within 6–18 metres; a planned depth beyond 18 metres requires the appropriate advanced certification. The live listing and briefing remain the final authority.
This is a scuba trip for certified divers. Recency rules differ between scheduled profiles, so check the live listing. If you feel rusty or do not meet its requirement, complete a scuba refresher course first.
Abyss boat divers currently need a dive computer, SMB and audible signalling device. Check your confirmation for the complete trip-specific equipment list.
Tell the team when booking if you are travelling alone or want extra support. The trip’s Divemaster services and any private-guide option are explained on the live listing.
Book for a quality boat dive at Martin Islet, not for a guaranteed seal count. Site choice and the animals’ behaviour are beyond the operator’s control.
How the day works
Use your trip confirmation as the final authority for meeting time, tanks, hire equipment and inclusions. Abyss schedules both single and double seal dives from Port Kembla Wharf; Divemaster services, meals and other inclusions vary by listing.
- Before the trip: check the live listing, certification requirements and equipment list. Hire gear must be collected from Abyss in Ramsgate before travelling south.
- Travel independently: make your own way to Port Kembla Wharf. Allow for traffic and arrive at the time shown in your confirmation.
- Listen to the briefing: the skipper will choose the safest and most rewarding site for the conditions and explain the dive plan, wildlife rules and pickup procedure.
- Dive the plan: stay with your buddy, maintain good buoyancy and keep the required distance from seals. Treat every wildlife sighting as a bonus.
Watch recent diving at Martin Island
This recent Abyss footage shows the character of the location, but every dive is different because the seals are wild and conditions change.
Martin Island seal-dive FAQs
Where is Martin Island, and where does the boat depart?
Martin Island—officially Martin Islet—is off Port Kembla, south of Wollongong. Abyss seal dives depart from Port Kembla Wharf, and guests make their own way to the meeting point.
What certification do I need?
You must be a certified scuba diver. Your certification, recent experience and the scheduled dive profile must match. Check the live trip listing, and contact Abyss before booking if you are unsure.
How deep is the Martin Island seal dive?
Seal activity is often in shallower water, but the selected site and maximum depth vary with conditions and the day’s plan. Follow the skipper’s briefing and remain within your certification and experience.
Are seal sightings guaranteed?
No. Fur seals are wild, and neither their presence nor their behaviour can be guaranteed. Martin Islet is a recognised seasonal haul-out, but every trip is different.
How close can I get to a seal?
In NSW, keep at least 10 metres from an adult seal in the water, 40 metres from a seal hauled out on land and 80 metres from a pup. If a seal approaches, stay calm and move away slowly to restore the minimum distance.
Are transport and rental equipment included?
You need to make your own way to Port Kembla Wharf. If you hire equipment from Abyss, collect it from the Ramsgate dive centre before heading south. Check the live listing and confirmation for current inclusions.
Can a non-diver join?
The scuba trip requires certification. Non-divers can explore the separate snorkel-with-seals option near Port Kembla, subject to current dates and conditions.
Planning and wildlife references
What divers say about Martin Island
Recent feedback from divers who have joined Abyss experiences.
Ready to plan your Martin Island seal dive?
Check current dates, requirements, inclusions and availability on the live seal-dive page.
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