Cockle Creek marks the southernmost point you can drive to in Australia, sitting at the edge of Tasmania's vast Southwest National Park on the shores of Recherche Bay. Just north, Ninepin Point Marine Reserve protects a unique underwater environment where tannin-stained freshwater from the Huon River overlays saltwater, creating dark conditions that trick deep-water species into inhabiting the shallows. Snorkelers explore rocky reefs draped in giant kelp forests, with healthy seaweed beds and exceptional macro life. The contrast between the wild, wind-swept shoreline and the serene underwater world makes this a truly special Tasmanian snorkeling destination.
Cockle Creek – Ninepin Point Marine Reserve area
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 13 sWind Speed 3.5 knPrecipitation 2.7 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
© JJ HarrisonDANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Cockle Creek – Ninepin Point Marine Reserve area has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Remote location with limited services danger
Cockle Creek is 2 hours south of Hobart with no mobile phone reception and limited facilities — medical emergencies require lengthy evacuation.
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Remote location with limited services
Cockle Creek is 2 hours south of Hobart with no mobile phone reception and limited facilities — medical emergencies require lengthy evacuation.
Moderate risk: Cold water temperatures
Southern Ocean waters rarely exceed 15°C even in summer; cold shock and hypothermia are serious risks without adequate wetsuit protection (5mm+ recommended).
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
The D'Entrecasteaux Channel experiences tidal flows that can be strong around points and narrows, potentially sweeping snorkelers away from entry points.
Low risk: Tannin-stained low visibility
The tannin-rich freshwater from the Huon River creates dark, tea-coloured water with significantly reduced visibility, disorienting for novice snorkelers.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
5 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Drive 120 km (2 hours) south from Hobart via the Huon Highway (A6) to Southport, then continue to Cockle Creek at the end of the sealed road. Ninepin Point Marine Reserve is north along the Channel Highway near Verona Sands.
Parking & facilities
Cockle Creek has a 5-10 vehicle parking area near the road closure. Ninepin Point has limited roadside parking. Southport has a boat ramp with additional parking.
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A Tasmanian National Parks Pass is required for vehicle entry to Southwest National Park (Cockle Creek section). Check current requirements.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports