Cave Diver Dies in Tank Cave Near Tantanoola, South Australia

A 65-year-old Victorian man has died following a diving incident at Tank Cave, a world-renowned underwater cave system near Tantanoola on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

Emergency services were called to the site on Saturday morning after reports that two divers were in distress. One diver was able to exit safely, while the second was later found deceased. Police confirmed that Water Operations officersconducted a recovery operation, and a report is being prepared for the State Coroner.

Tank Cave is managed by the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) and is regarded as one of the most complex cave diving systems in the southern hemisphere. Access is strictly limited to divers holding advanced cave certifications, with entry allowed only under specific permit conditions.

The cave’s entrance lies beneath a limestone paddock outside Mount Gambier, leading to more than ten kilometres of submerged passages mapped over decades of exploration. Its intricate network of tunnels, low ceilings, and silt-filled chambers has made it both a training ground and a test of skill for experienced cave divers.

Tank Cave has a deep connection to Australia’s cave diving history. In the 1980s and 1990s, the site became a focal point for exploration and mapping efforts that helped establish the Limestone Coast as one of the world’s premier destinations for cave diving. It has also been the scene of tragedy before, including the deaths of two divers in 2010, which prompted further safety reviews and reinforced the CDAA’s strict access and training protocols.

While incidents at the site are rare, each serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in deep cave diving and the importance of preparation, redundancy, and experience in overhead environments.

At this stage, authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of the incident or the identity of the diver.