Situated on the western shore of the Tamar River / kanamaluka near the historic town of George Town, Kelso is a prized temperate dive site known for its colourful sponge gardens, soft corals, and healthy reef habitats. The site offers a classic Tamar River profile with relatively sheltered conditions, making it one of the most accessible scuba and snorkelling spots in northern Tasmania. Divers encounter vibrant sponge and gorgonian fans along the shoreline, with deeper drop-off lines for more experienced explorers. The site forms part of a trio of local favourites alongside The Avon and The Monument across the river.
Kelso (dive site, western shore Tamar River)
IntermediateGO
GO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 5.3 sWind Speed 5.9 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong outgoing tide currents
The Tamar River experiences significant tidal flow, especially on outgoing tides which can sweep snorkelers away from the shoreline.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Temperate Tasmanian waters remain cold year-round (10–18°C), requiring a thick wetsuit even in summer.
Low risk: Limited visibility after rain
Runoff from the Tamar catchment can reduce underwater visibility substantially after heavy rainfall.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From George Town, cross the Batman Bridge (A7) southwards and follow signs to Kelso. The dive site is accessible from the western shore of the Tamar River near the Kelso Boat Ramp. Alternatively, from Launceston take the A7 north to Batman Bridge and turn toward Kelso.
Parking & facilities
Parking available near the Kelso Boat Ramp area along the western shore.
parkingboat_ramp
No fees for shore diving.
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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