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Discover Scuba Divers at
Port Fairy's South Beach
 
Lighthouse reef

Port Fairy

There are several good dive sites located in and around Port Fairy, each with spectacular underwater views. You can dive the Lighthouse Reef, Mills Reef, the 'Thistle' wreck site or our fabulous South Beach/Pea Soup Bay. South Beach/Pea Soup is a great dive site for beginners or for divers who have been inactive for a prolonged period of time; only 3-5 metres deep on average, and protected by an outer reef, it offers an abundance of kelp forests, several sea grass beds abundant with fish, the occasional Eagle ray or Australian fur seal and not forgetting the unique bottle & ball cemetery. Bottles dating back to as early as 1912 have been found here. Our 'Discover Scuba' program is ideal for school groups or people looking for something different to do this Summer and we run this program out of this protected Bay. We have gift vouchers available for all of our courses.
 
'Mills Reef' is approximately 10-14 metres deep and boat access is required. It will take about 10 minutes by boat from Moyne River boat ramp to reach this dive site and conditions will dictate where to drop off divers. You must be a certified Open Water Diver or higher to dive here. Prone to strong currents and winds so planning the dive is paramount. Also accessible by boat is the 'Lighthouse Reef' behind Griffith Island, this is approximately 8-10 metres deep and you will see many fish and rays here. When mooring boats at dive sites please be considerate of our underwater environment and take extra care.
 
 
  

Ewen Ponds

'Ewen Ponds' is located 50 minutes from Portland or 10 kilometres east of Port MacDonnell and access is via a dirt road which is well sign posted. Ewen Ponds is a series of 3 fresh water shallow basin shaped ponds approximately 9-13 metres deep fed continuously by fresh water springs which flow out of the ground through 'sand boils' at the bottom of each pond; and each pond is connected by a shallow channel. For Open water divers or snorkellers without cave qualifications Ewen Ponds beckons. The Ponds can be dived all year round however the best diving is on a sunny day with no wind and it is recommended to wear a thick protective suit as the water temperature is a chilly 10-15 degrees.
 
The highlight of the Ponds is the visibility! - It is not uncommon to be able to see from one side of the pond to the other - approximately 80 metres. There is a slight current that runs through the ponds that will help carry you through the shallow channels that connect the ponds together. The narrow channels are located at the southern end of each pond. Drifting through the ponds you will see aquatic weeds, plants and the rare Ewen's pygmy perch. Entry is via a pontoon with a ladder in Pond 1 and exit is via a ladder to a pontoon in Pond 3. It is suggested that you get there early to avoid the visibility being compromised by other divers who may stir up the bottom. This is a great night dive!
 
You can only dive the Ponds from pond 1 to pond 3; you cannot come back upstream! After exiting at Pond 3 there is a short walk back to the car park via a dirt walking track. In summer, please be careful to watch your step when walking back to the car park as there could be the odd red belly brown snake or two sunbaking on the track and they are venomous.
 
 
Stingray Bay
 
 

Warrnambool

Well known for its sheltered pristine beaches and perfectly moderate climate, Warrnambool is a wonderland for certified Scuba Divers who are searching for the ultimate underwater adventure. Some of the popular diving sites that can be found in Warrnambool are Eagle Rock, Helen's Rock, Penguin and Middle Islands, Pickering Point, Stingray Bay, the Banks, the La Bella Wreck and Thunder Point.
 
'Thunder Point' has extremely rugged and interesting terrain and is only suitable for experienced divers. Its depth ranges from 5m to 20m about 150 metres from shore. 'Thunder Point' should only be explored during favourable diving conditions.  
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 23.974 E 142* 27.798)
         
Just west (approximately 400 metres) of Thunder Point is 'Eagle Rock'; a diving site popular for having the roughest sea terrain in the vicinity and where you will find marvellous underwater flora and fauna. This area is rich in all forms of marine life native to this area.
(The gps coordinates are S38* 23.477 E 142* 26.944) 
 
Seasoned Scuba Divers appreciate the magnificent sea life that can be found at Penguin and Middle Islands - an excellent shore diving experience. Within walking distance of the breakwater, the islands have very rugged terrain with some magnificent sea caves. Many stingrays, harmless sharks, moray eels and other sea life can be found. Many divers believe this to be one of the best, most accessible shore dives along the coast.
 
'The Banks' are located directly offshore of the Hopkins River and another off Stingray Bay - they have several large drop offs. They fall in 2 or 3 steps of 10 - 20 metres and 10-30 metres. A flat sea is needed to dive these areas.
(The gps coordinates are S38* 25.648 E 142* 29.440)   
 
'Pickering Point' is readily accessible and the bottom slopes gently from 5 metres in close to 20 metres at about 200 metres off shore.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 24.042 E 142* 28.149)
 
For divers who like to explore wrecks, the 'La Bella' will not disappoint, this wreck site features a cargo ship that sunk on November 10, 1905. The 'La Bella' lies in about 15 metres of water just off the Warrnambool breakwater. The ship hit a reef while entering the harbour and sank, she lost 7 of her 12 crew and divers did not find the wreck site until 1982. The wreck is in relatively good condition but does not contain a lot of artefacts.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 24.220 E 142* 29.140)

Or for divers, who prefer photo opportunities, try 'Helen's Rock'. 'Helen's Rock' lies off Killarney, a small town just outside of Warrnambool and not far from Port Fairy. The rock is approximately 1km out to sea and lies at a depth of 20 metres with the rock pinnacle only 2 metres below the surface. The marine life in this area is a photographer's dream, but is best dived during good conditions.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 22.010 E 142* 22.204)
 
Another exceptional underwater photo location is 'Stingray Bay'. This is a sheltered and secluded bay with a depth of between 5-12 metres and carries an interesting assortment of fishes with several kelp forests. This and surrounding reef behind the breakwater are exceptional areas for photography.
(The gps coordinates are S38* 24.165 E 142* 28.406)
 
 
Lee Breakwater
 
Leafy Sea Dragon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Portland

One of the many secrets of Portland is its great diving experience. Explore the fascinating caves and colourful sponge gardens, guide your way around the beautiful kelp forests and be mesmerised with wall drops of up to 70 metres. Enjoy the artificial shipwrecks of 'Saxon' and 'Emily', deliberately sunk to form an artificial reef or enjoy one of the many other great diving sites such as, Bridgewater Bay, Nunn's Bay, Southwest Bay, Lee Breakwater, Lighthouse Reef or Minerva Reef.
 
'The Emily S' lies perfectly upright between two reefs 350 metres off Lawrence Rocks. PDS dive club scuttled her on 1st September, 1991. She is an ex fishing trawler 30 metres in length and lies in 24 metres on the bottom. If you have wreck qualifications, this is a great penetration dive. It can also be dived at night. There is an abundance of marine life in and around the 'Emily S', and the reefs are a photographers paradise. This is a boat dive taking approximately 20 minutes travel time from the harbour. You need Open Water, Cave or Wreck qualifications to dive this site.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 24.164 E 141* 40.324)
 
'Lee Breakwater' is a great shore dive for Open Water beginners as it is easy to orientate oneself with the wall. There are over 50 different species of fish including Morwongs, Sweep, Nudibranchs, Moonlighters and it is home to the amazing leafy sea dragons. A couple of times a year you can see the occasional wobbegong sharks in the sand at the bottom. Lee Breakwater is 1-14 metres deep. Easy entry and exit points all along the Breakwater wall however if entering over the rocks care should be taken to avoid damage to equipment and yourself.
 
'Minerva Reef' is a shallow dive with a lot of marine life and if you look hard enough you may even be lucky enough to find some petrified sharks teeth. This is a good dive for beginners. This is a boat dive with travel time approximately 10 minutes from the boat ramp. Depth is only 5 metres and you need to have PADI Scuba Diver qualifications or above for this dive.
 
'Lawrence Rocks' has a number of dive sites located all around it, and depending on your qualifications, the weather and what time of day you are diving, will determine where you dive. There is a sheltered area most of the time on 1, 2 or 3 sides of the rock, so you always have a good range of dive sites to choose from. A favourite for divers is in the harbour on the south side, where the marine life is abundant. There is so much to see; ledges, swim throughs, vertical walls, soft sponges and the underwater rock formations are fascinating. This is a boat dive taking approximately 20 minutes travel time from the boat ramp. Depth ranges from as shallow as 5 metres to a depth of 30 metres - great for PADI Advanced divers.
 
'Lighthouse Reef' is a sheltered reef of around 1.5 square nautical miles. There is an immense diversity of marine life - anything from leafy and weedy sea dragons, crayfish, cat sharks to abalone. You even get the privilege of seeing the wreck of the 'New Zealander'. This is a shore or boat dive ranging from 1-5 metres in depth.
 
'The Nursery' lies in a north easterly direction from the harbour entrance and boats anchor in about 5 metres. The boulders to the east are full of caves and crevices hiding a wealth of plant and marine life. There are 4 large caves at 14 metres, with 1 cave having a slot in the roof leading to a smaller chamber above known as 'the cockpit'. This is where the fun begins as the cockpit can hold 4 divers at a time. This is a boat dive taking 20 minutes travel time from the boat ramp and you need to be a PADI advanced scuba diver or above to dive this site. Maximum depth is 24 metres.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 24.280 E 141* 40.260)
 
'Saxon Reef' is a natural reef with the remains of the ship 'Saxon' scuttled as an artificial reef. the surrounding reef has interesting ledges and overhangs with a great variety of fish life and marine growth. There is a residential wobbegong shark who is about 12 ft long. This is dive taking approximately 5 minutes travel time from the boat ramp. Depth is a maximum of 10 metres and you need PADI Scuba Diver or above to dive this site.
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 18.892 E 141* 37.422)
 
'Nargra Reef' is a photographers paradise with an abundance of marine life and coloured sponges. The limestone bottom creates areas that expose fossilised sharks teeth. You need to have patience and good eyesight to snavel yourself a souvenir. Every time you dive in this area you will see something different. There are gutters, swim throughs, ledges, abalone, crayfish and much much more. This is a beautiful dive site and is a maximum depth of 13 metres. This is a boat dive and takes approximately 5 minutes travel time from the boat ramp. PADI Scuba Diver +
(The gps coordinates are S 38* 18.230 E 141* 39.150)
 
'Devils Kitchen' is located on the western inside of Nelson Bay. This dive site can only be dived if weather permits and if you do get to dive it you will see some spectacular underwater scenery. The limestone cliffs tower over the water making it almost impossible for a shore dive. There are swim throughs, ledges and marine life in abundance. The bommies and ledges run down to meet pure white sand and it is magnificent. This is a preferred boat dive taking approximately 40 minutes travel time. You need to be an advanced diver for this site as depth ranges from 5 - 30 metres.
 
'The New Zealander' was a 30 metre coal ship, which was allegedly set alight by its crew on December 16th, 1853 after sailing to Portland from Liverpool. The burning ship was towed to the northern bluff where it sank below the Portland Lighthouse. This is a shallow but interesting dive, depending on the sand movement. You may see ribs, bronze bolts, ballast rock and iron pins or you may see nothing at all. This is an excellent site for snorkellers. This is a shore dive and the depth ranges from 1 - 5 metres.
 

Picaninnie Ponds

At 'Picaninnie Ponds' you can snorkel across the top of 'The Chasm' and peer into the dark depths. The crystal clear waters have been slowly filtering through the limestone and forming the pond's features over thousands of years. The freshwater rising to the surface under pressure has eroded a weakness in the limestone to form 'The Chasm'. This same process has formed the large underwater cave known as 'The Cathedral', so named because of its majestic white walls of sculptured and scalloped limestone. Visibility can exceed 40 metres. This is one of the most spectacular underwater sites in the Mount Gambier area.
 
Diving Permits are only issued to divers who are current financial members of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) and rated at sinkhole level. Divers must show proof of current membership before diving.
 
Permits are required!
 
Divers and Snorkellers can share a time slot but a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 persons per group is allowed. You must be out of the water before your time slot expires. A maximum of 2 dives per person are allowed per day. Dive slot times are: -
 
5am - 6am, 8am - 9am, 11am - 12noon, 2pm - 3pm, 5pm - 6pm, 8pm - 9pm, 11pm - midnight. (SA Time).
 
When booking, phone (08) 8735 1177 during business hours. Advanced bookings must be confirmed one week prior to the day of diving or snorkelling. All divers and snorkellers are required to sign an indemnity at the time of booking.