Northern NSW, off Wooli
10m - 45m open ocean site

Pimpernel Rock is one of the finest scuba diving locations in Australia. It is an isolated, open ocean site, seven kilometres from land and so is weather-dependent and subject to current. There is a cavern approximately 12m high and 15m wide in the centre of the main structure. All mannner of sea life including sharks inhabit the giant shelter. Sponge gardens decorate reefs that spread from the base of each of the three pinnacles. The site is characterised by large rocky bolders, small trenches and overhangs.

Text reproduced from Michael McFadyn's Scuba Diving Website: "The site itself consists of a sort of U-shaped rock pinnacle (when viewed from the top and facing north) which comes from over 40 metres up to less than 10 metres. The rock itself has three summits, the main one being at the bottom of the U and the other two near the ends of the U. These only come up to 15 to 20 metres. One of the features that makes this site even more special is that there is a tunnel running though the bottom of the U, with a smaller tunnel off to the right ... Once you have descended along the anchor line you should drop to the part of the rock that you first see. Then you should drop down this part of the wall to the bottom. If you are on the northern side, you should see the entrance to the cave and in the normal visibility you get here (25 metres plus), you should be able to see it straight away. The sand is 40 metres or so right at the entrance and the top of the tunnel is about 27 metres. Have a quick look around before swimming through the tunnel. You may see grey nurse sharks in the area outside both main entrances to the tunnel and inside. Sometimes they can be seen at the very top of the tunnel. Swim through the tunnel and examine the sides and roof as you go, you can often find things like crayfish and firefish ... When you exit the tunnel ... start ascending and do a spiral around the rock as you go up. If you do this correctly, you can even do this dive without going into decompression, even though you have been to over 40 metres. Just keep ascending as you go around the rock. Make a run out to the tops of the U to see the other two pinnacles when you get to the right depth. The rock is totally covered with gorgonias, corals, sponges and all sorts of fixed marine life. There are thousands of sea whips, nearly everyone of which has numerous tiger (or wandering) anemones on them. This dive has simply amazing fishlife. Trevally, giant trevally, bream, jewfish, yellowtail kingfish and various tuna species are some of the larger species you will probably see. On my dives here we saw schools of over one hundred huge jewfish (with a few kingfish mixed in) as well as schools of over one hundred huge yellowtail kingfish. As well, there are all the normal tropical species that are seen on the other Solitary Islands ... Once you run out of bottom time or air, ascend for your safety stop.  ... One of the best dives you will ever do. However, only for experienced divers due to the depth and the possibility of currents."

Site hazards

Current: Pimpernel Rock can be subject to strong current. It usually runs from north to south around the Rock.

On Brisbane BSAC trips, divers must:

• be Sports Diver or equivalent or higher;
• carry at least one DSMB and reel or spool and be proficient (i.e. trained and practised) at deploying a DSMB while holding depth;
• stay within their certification depth limits;
• plan and be suitably equipped if intending to conduct a dive requiring mandatory decompression stops.

It is recommended that divers be experienced and fit enough to swim in current.

Operators and further information

Dive sites of the Solitary Islands Marine Park by Jetty Dive

Wooli Dive Centre, Wooli

Jetty Dive Centre, Coffs Harbour