Skillion Cave is one of the Central Coast's premier shore dives, lying just north of the iconic Skillion headland at Terrigal Haven. Despite its name, this is not a true cave but a dramatic 14 m-deep crevice in the reef wall, capped by a massive lodged boulder that creates a swim-through cavern. The site is accessed from a rock platform adjacent to the Skillion car park, with a short surface swim before descending along a kelp-covered slope. Inside the cave, walls blaze with jewel anemones and gorgonians, while schools of yellowtail scad, bullseyes, and ladder-finned pomfret swirl overhead. On the sandy floor, look for wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, and bull rays resting in the shadows. Outside the cave, a sheer wall drops to 15–18 m, rich with colourful fixed growth and macro life. This site is best attempted on flat, calm days — rough conditions make entry and exit over the slippery rock platform dangerous.
Skillion Cave
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Skillion Cave has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Rock platform exit in rough conditions danger
Entry and exit are over a slippery rock platform. In choppy seas or rising swell, waves can wash divers onto the rocks, making exit treacherous.
- Rough swell entry/exit danger
The rock platform entry and exit are exposed to ocean swell. This spot can only be dived/snorkelled on calm days; rough conditions make exiting over the slippery rock platform dangerous.
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High risk: Rock platform exit in rough conditions
Entry and exit are over a slippery rock platform. In choppy seas or rising swell, waves can wash divers onto the rocks, making exit treacherous.
High risk: Rough swell entry/exit
The rock platform entry and exit are exposed to ocean swell. This spot can only be dived/snorkelled on calm days; rough conditions make exiting over the slippery rock platform dangerous.
Moderate risk: Swell and surf surge
This site can ONLY be attempted on calm days. Rough conditions make entry/exit over the rock platform dangerous and prevent safe return.
Moderate risk: Rock platform exit
Exit requires climbing onto a slippery rock ledge. High risk of injury from waves knocking you into rocks during exit.
Moderate risk: Swell and rough conditions
This shore dive can only be attempted on calm days. Surf and breaking swell make entry and exit over the rock platform dangerous in rough weather.
Moderate risk: Surging swell at cave entrance
The cave interior can experience strong surge, especially during moderate swell, making it difficult to maintain position and potentially pushing divers into the walls.
Moderate risk: Limited exit points
The primary exit is a specific sloping ledge on the rock platform. Missing it means a long swim back around to Terrigal Haven, which can be exhausting in current or swell.
Moderate risk: Surge inside the cave
Moderate to strong surge can develop inside the narrow crevice, especially on higher swell days, making it difficult to maintain position and exit safely.
Moderate risk: Current along the reef wall
A current can run along the reef wall north of the cave, which may push snorkelers/divers past the exit point. Requires good fitness and navigation awareness.
Low risk: Strong currents
Currents can develop around the point, especially on outgoing tide. Can sweep snorkelers away from the exit point.
Low risk: Deep water close to shore
Water deepens quickly beyond the rock platform. Snorkellers need strong fitness and confidence in deep open water.
Low risk: Strong outgoing current
Currents can sweep around the headland; divers need good fitness for the long swim back if conditions change.
Low risk: Limited visibility after weather
Visibility can degrade rapidly after storms or wind, especially near the rock platform entry.
Low risk: Depth drop-off near shore
The bottom quickly drops from shallow rock platform to 8–15 m within metres of shore, requiring good buoyancy control and comfort with deeper water.
Low risk: Slippery rock platform
The entry and exit point is across a flat rock platform that becomes extremely slippery when wet, posing a slip-and-fall risk while carrying gear.
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Getting in
From Terrigal town centre, drive east towards Terrigal Haven (the boat harbour area). Follow the loop road past the Terrigal Dive Centre and around the oval to the small angled car park at the base of The Skillion headland. Park as close as possible to the northern end of the car park. Walk from the car park across the grass to the rock platform — the entry point is where the flat rock platform steps up to a higher level. The exit is a sloping rock ledge about 10 m to the left (north) of the entry point.
Small angled car park at the base of The Skillion, adjacent to the oval. Free parking. Spaces are limited, so arrive early on weekends and holidays.
Free. No entry or parking fees.
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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.