Montague Island

Montague Island (Barunguba) is a dive and snorkel site located 5 nautical miles (approximately 5 km) east of Narooma on the New South Wales south coast, reached by a roughly 25-minute boat ride. The site offers dozens of distinct dive locations around the island, with depths ranging from 5 to 15 metres, and its position allows diving to proceed in almost any weather conditions.

The standout marine attraction is the resident population of Australian and New Zealand fur seals, which numbers between 400 and 2,000 animals depending on the season — up to 1,800 during the cooler months, with 200 to 500 remaining through summer. During the cooler season, humpback whales and dolphins are also encountered. When warm currents arrive — reaching up to 26°C — they bring tropical fish, pelagics, nudibranchs, giant tube worms, and gorgonian fans, along with species not normally found this far south: grey nurse sharks take up residence in February, and turtles, manta rays, and sunfish appear occasionally. Kingfish and trevally are present year-round.

Access is by boat only, with the ride from the Narooma Town Wharf taking around 25 minutes. The site is suitable for both scuba diving and snorkelling. Divers must hold a valid certification card, and all participants must be confident swimmers. The site is considered beginner-friendly, though water depth in some areas reaches 15 metres.