VICTORIAN DIVE SITES
(The majority of dive site information shown and some photographic content is courtesy of Warrick McDonald from AB Ocean Divers)
Drift Dives
12lb Reef:
12lb Reef is a drift dive site located on Lonsdale Wall and its name has a similar pedigree to that of 16lb Reef. It is home to some massive crayfish getting its name from a story of a Cray diver; the story goes like this: a Cray diver caught sight of the monster Cray in its cave, and grabbed it - but the real fact is that the Cray actually caught him: by the time he reached the surface with the Cray, the two were still locked in mortal combat! Whoever let go first would lose! There could be plenty more of these cheeky critters still lurking here, so if you fancy your skills as a Cray conqueror, it’s definitely worth a look. The many overhangs and soft corals make this a popular and picturesque dive site and great for open water training dives as well.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 8metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Kelp Beds Reef:
In the Lonsdale bight midway between Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff is an area which is marked on Admiralty charts as the Kelp Beds. Here, large stalks of eerie but majestic kelp extend up from the bottom forming the magnificently spectacular kelp forest. This dive site should be dived at slack tide because of the strong currents. The kelp is plentiful here because of the nutrients that are carried to the kelp forests by the currents. Fish common to the dive site are Blue Devil, Old Wives, Yellow Tailed Kingfish, Port Jackson Sharks and the odd friendly and cute inquisitive Australian Fur Seal.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 8metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Quarantine Drift:
Off the old Quarantine Station on Point Nepean lies an underwater SAHARA desert. While there is not a lot of life on the bottom, the undulating sand dunes can provide you with some rare old vintage collector’s bottles and of course the occasional Vic Bitter stubbie, spider crabs, the odd pod of Dolphins and the occasional cute and inquisitive Australian Fur Seal.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 14metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Scallop Drift:
Like Scallops? Looking for a feed? Love the thrill of the chase? Want a challenge? The Scallop Drift dive site is a much slower drift dive than some of the other local drift dives, so you can relax a little and watch what is happening around you. The scallop beds move around a little and there is no guarantee you will see them straight away but rest assured, be patient and you will see them. The dive site itself is further up the bay near Rye. The bottom is flat and sandy with scallops, stingrays, flathead and large spider crabs. You must have a current Victorian fishing license to be able to bag scallops in Port Phillip waters. It is an offence to take any type of seafood/fish without a current fishing licence in Victoria and penalties apply. Refer to local by-laws or fisheries and wildlife for more information.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Sponge Garden Drift:
As the name suggests this is a drift dive along massive sponge gardens and shallow reefs. The variety and brilliance of the colours of the sponges make this dive breathtakingly stunning. As in any drift dive, the terrain is always changing and you start the dive by drifting over an area of shallow reefs then progress to areas where you are diving over sponge gardens and finally over large reefs and bommies. The fish life on these dives varies just as much as the terrain and of course there is always the chance of coming across old bottles and other collectable artefacts. Check local laws before removing any artefacts from our Oceans.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Reef & Boat Dives
18m Reef:
Just outside Port Phillip Heads on the Point Lonsdale side is an area of scattered reefs ranging in depths from 12 to 18 metres. The sea life is prolific in this area. Amongst it you will observe Crayfish, Blue Devils, Weedy Sea Dragons, Australian Fur Seals, Abalone and much more. The soft calcium deposits that comprise most of the terrain in this area have eroded over time creating lots of little swim throughs, valleys and overhangs all topped off with a light scattering of large kelp.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 18metres
Subject to shipping: No
Bay of Islands:
A fantastic dive site, where over the centuries the sea has carved the rock into fantastic and interesting formations, certainly worthy of exploring. Situated south of Sorrento this area is famous for Crayfish and a host of other fish life. Lots of swim throughs, overhangs and rocky ledges. Diving is only possible here when northerly winds have been blowing for a few days otherwise the swell makes this site inaccessible for divers.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 10metres to 15metres
Subject to shipping: No
Boarfish Reef:
Boarfish Reef lies approximately halfway between Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, on Victoria’s rugged coastline and starts in approximately 10metres of water dropping off to 22metres, involving a system of caves, drop-offs and overhangs. The reef provides a multitude of colour, plant and animal life. There are spectacular Blue Devil, Crayfish and of course Boarfish, hence the name of the reef. Near the Southern end of the reef, lies a large 4metre Admiralty anchor encrusted with marine growth. On the northern tip of the reef a large sponge garden extends for approx 400metres.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 8metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Captain Nitros Drop-Off:
Captain Nitros Drop-Off is a great dive site for all levels of diver. Huge boulders, massive overhangs and spectacular reefs make this dive site truly amazing. The Drop-off is located on the western end of Spectacular Reef, and consists of a series of walls from 20metres to over 60 metres. Huge boulders the size of a house are scattered over the area and large fish can often be spotted as they make their way into the Bay. If you are lucky enough, Australian Fur Seals and Dolphins are also occasional visitors and surprise dive buddies. This site is subject to shipping so you will need to check shipping traffic & shipping timetables prior to diving.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 16metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
Castle Rock:
Castle Rock is located outside the Port Phillip Heads in approximately 18 metres of water. It sits on a sandy bottom and rises to around 12 metres at its pinnacle. The rock is around 200metres in circumference and has many overhangs, walls and swim throughs. It can be circled several times in a dive. The fixed depth, lack of current and easy navigation makes this the perfect dive for new Open Water divers. It is a wonderful fish dive, with a wide variety of creatures from Sea Dragons to Port Jackson Sharks found on and around the Rock. There is even a slim chance of a Cray or two under the overhangs at the bottom. This is an awesome night dive site.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 18metres
Subject to shipping: No
Cathedral Reef:
This dive site is situated on a reef that runs east to west on the eastern edge of the main shipping channel. The top of the reef is in 20 plus metres of water. Most of the time at this dive site will be spent in the 30 to 40 metre depth range and therefore requires Advanced and Technical Certification. The name "Cathedral" arises from the fantastic pinnacle and bommies that rise 4 or 5 metres above the top of the reef. This site can only be dived when there is no shipping and at slack water at the end of the ebb tide. Check shipping timetables prior to diving this site.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 22metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
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Chinaman's Hat:
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Located in Port Phillip Bay, the Chinaman's Hat is an old channel marker hosting 5 - 50 playful Australian Fur Seals. You can dive or snorkel with these inquisitive animals as they are only too happy to play with you in the water. Most dive charter operators take regular trips to this area.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 8metres
Subject to shipping: No
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Corsair Rock:
The name Corsair Rock has sent shudders down the spine of many a sailor or seaman whilst navigating Port Phillip Heads. The rock has been responsible for an extremely large number of shipwrecks and strandings. The rock itself is 6metres in diameter and is covered by 3metres of water. The rock is located 600metres west of rock beacon and can usually be identified by the swell breaking above it. When conditions are favourable the kelp covered top of the rock may be seen from the surface. When conditions such as this exist diving around Corsair Rock is at its best.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 4metres to 15metres
Subject to shipping: No
Easter Bommie:
At the very northern end of the Lonsdale Reef System lays the Easter Bommie. No one really knows where the name originated, but everyone who dives it knows it is a wonderful dive. Only accessible for diving at slack water, the shot line will be dropped in around 16 metres on the northern edge of the Bommie. Swimming north from the shot you will drop over the edge and descend to a maximum depth of 27 metres at the base of the Bommie, with the sea bed covered in strange round rocks the size of cannonballs. You can then follow the wall around to either the south east or the south west. Crayfish are abundant in the south east. Great dive with lots of fish and lots of lovely soft corals and sponges. Check shipping timetables prior to diving this site.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 18metres to 26metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
Foggy Reef:
At the very southern end of the Lonsdale wall system sits Foggy Reef. The top of the reef is around 8 metres. Swimming east from the shot you will find the edge of the wall, dropping over the wall you descend to around 25 metres. From this point if you follow the wall to the south it will curve around to the east. About 20 metres from where you go over the wall there will be a huge old Admiralty anchor embedded in the wall. Directly opposite this anchor spot, lying in the sand are 2 old cannons. Unfortunately the sand movement in this area means that sometimes the cannons are buried. After you look around turn back the way you came and follow the wall north for the rest of your dive. Check out the amazing overhangs, undercuts and the amazing soft corals and sponges that are prolific in this area.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 8metres to 30metres
Subject to shipping: No
Geoff’s Hole:
Discovered and named after one of the great local diving identities 'Geoff' - this dive site is close inshore to Point Nepean and can only be dived when there is no current, otherwise known as slack water. The shallowest section runs south-west to north-east with the deeper section to the south-east. There have been reports that the wreck of a couta boat can be seen in this area, but with continual tidal sand movement it may be covered up. Will you see the wreck? This is a great deep dive for an advanced or deep diver course and makes a nice change to Portsea hole. A great dive to do during strong southerlies, as this area is quite sheltered.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 18metres to 40metres
Subject to shipping: No
Giddup Reef:
Discovered and named by one of the local divers, this dive site is spectacular. Approximately 1 kilometre from the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and clear of the shipping channel, just outside Port Phillip Heads, is an amazing area of bommies or underwater rock formations, with a resident moray eel. The strong current flow in this area has created a nutrient rich environment and marine growth is prolific. However, it is the spectacular rock formations that make this dive site so special.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Lonsdale Arches:
Approximately 1 kilometre from the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and clear of the shipping channel, just outside Port Phillip Heads is an amazing area of bommies or underwater rock formations, some appearing like underwater arches. The strong current flow in this area has created a nutrient rich environment and subsequently prolific marine growth and the associated marine life. But it is the amazing rock formations that make this dive site special. This site has a couple of amazing swim throughs that are very safe easy to enter. A favourite spot for catching Crays.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Lonsdale Bommies:
Approximately 1 kilometre from the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and clear of the shipping channel, just outside Port Phillip Heads is an area of spectacular bommies and underwater rock formations with tidal movement created swim throughs. A favourite spot for catching Crays. This is a great dive site with fantastic swim throughs.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 20metres
Subject to shipping: No
Lonsdale Wall:
Located on the Lonsdale side of Port Phillip Heads, the Lonsdale Wall extends for approximately 1km underwater, therefore providing many different dive opportunities from the one site location. An almost vertical drop characterises the wall. As you descend, there is a slight step-out every 6-9metres and behind each step-out there is a huge overhang, which is easy to swim through. These overhangs support an enormous variety of fish including the spectacular Blue Devils. You can also see soft corals, sponges and many other invertebrate marine life. To experience the full depth (38 metres) of this dive site you must have Deep Diver Specialty or Technical certifications.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 38metres
Subject to shipping: No
Nepean Bay:
Sheltered just to the north of Point Nepean inside Port Phillip Bay is a smaller bay known as Nepean Bay. This is a lovely dive site with scattered reefs, lots of fish and scattered wreck debris. The rocks at Point Nepean have brought many ships to grief over the years and the scattered wreckage lies in this bay. Sometimes covered in sand and at other times exposed for exploration. The area is also a state marine park and as such the fish life is slowly rebuilding to the size it was before commercial and recreational fishing decimated it. Lovely shallow clear water fills this bay and it is sheltered from all winds except northerlies making this a fantastic dive site. Great spot to finish off a full day's diving.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 5metres to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Nepean Wall:
This wall runs east west just outside Port Phillip heads on the Point Nepean side. To go over the Nepean Wall you swim south from the shot. Descending to your desired depth you can swim in either direction along the wall but it is important that you return to the shot for your ascent as the current here turns very quickly. It is also a good idea to keep your bottom time shorter on this dive. This dive is only done on the ebb turning to flood so that at the end of your dive the current will bring you back into the bay. The wall along here is amazing with lots of soft coral and sponges. The fish life is amazing and this quite often brings fur seals into the area to feed. You can also bag the odd Cray or two.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 24metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: No
New Deep Bommie:
The New Deep Bommie actually sits in 42metres of water and this changes by up to 1metre depending on the tides. From the shot, if you swim along the west side first (the Bommie on your left side) you'll come to high peaks ranging from 42metres to 34metres. The peaks create a series of interesting gullies that divers' can swim through and after swimming through the last gully, you come to an open expanse of rock where you will be greeted by a large school of bullseyes. At this point divers can head north to the centre top of the bommie, and search for a cave opening at about the 34metre mark. The opening leads to a swim through and is only a few metres in length with the odd wrasse passing you by. Divers can stay on the previous heading and encircle the entire bommie where there are rich colours of red in the form of soft sponges dotted about the face of the bommie. There are also other fish such as wrasse, horseshoe, leather jackets, and sweep.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 30metres to 40metres
Subject to shipping: No
North Wall Corner:
This is an amazing dive site, situated at the northern end of the Lonsdale Wall. Lonsdale Wall runs south to north and at the point where it turns and runs west to east is where North Wall Corner is located. Here in the corner the current has scoured quite a deep channel. The walls tower vertically with amazing splits and overhangs, sheltering an amazing variety of soft coral and sponges. Generally this dive is done at the end of the flood so it is at its clearest. In this dive it is best to swim along the east west wall first and then return onto the north south wall before the current picks up.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 23metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: No
Pinnacles Deep:
Just outside Port Phillip Heads on the Point Lonsdale side of the Heads, is an area of scattered reef with depths ranging from 16 to 25 metres. The sea life in this is area is abundant with Crayfish, Blue Devils, Weedy Sea Dragons, Australian Fur Seals, Abalone and lots more. The soft calcium that comprises most of the terrain in this area has eroded into lots of little swim throughs, valleys and overhangs, all topped off with a light scattering of kelp. This is a fantastic site for an avid fish spotter and macro photography enthusiasts.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 18metres to 26metres
Subject to shipping: No
Pope’s Eye:
Pope's Eye is a man made basalt rock annulus. It is the foundation of what was to be an Island Fort built in the late 1880's to protect the bay and the rich Victorian Goldfields of the time. Advances in weapons technology made the defence plan obsolete and the defence plan was not completed. Although never completed this horse-shoe shaped artificial reef is now a Marine Reserve and the home of many species of fish including Morwong, Sea Sweep, Leather Jackets, Wrasse, Globe Fish and Yellowtail just to name a few, Invertebrates and Algae, including one of the last kelp forests in the bay. It is also the summer breeding and roosting ground for the Australasian Gannet. The inside of Pope's Eye provides a safe anchorage in 2-3 metres of water, whilst outside the rock wall extends to a depth of 12 metres. The best time to dive Pope's Eye is on the start of the ebb tide, however it provides almost all weather, all current diving. Pope's Eye is a must for all - suits beginners through to advanced divers.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 2metres to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Portsea Hole:
Portsea Hole is about 500metres west of the Portsea Pier. The top of the hole is 12metres and to the north there is a vertical wall approximately 75metres long, which drops to a sandy patch at 27metres, then on into a sand bowl, which bottoms at 33metres. The wall comprises of small overhangs, which are home to a vast array of invertebrate life and fish, in particular the beautiful Blue Devil fish. Surrounding the top edge are many bommies, which play host to hundreds of fish and invertebrates. As you descend down the hole, many small overhangs and hidden crevices open up to reveal new hiding places and homes for many fish species.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 28metres
Subject to shipping: No
Rip Bank Shark Site:
A fantastic underwater cliff just outside Port Phillip Heads. The currents through here dictate this dive and it can only be conducted on slack water at the end of the ingoing or flood tide, and even then, only when conditions are calm outside the Bay. The passage of the current here runs along the wall and can be extremely fast. There are a lot of crayfish to be caught along the top of the wall. The wall itself is very steep with large overhangs and beautiful colours. The other great thing about this dive is that during almost every dive you get to see sharks swimming along the wall. They tend to swim about 10 to 15 metres from the wall and just cruise past checking things out. The sharks are seven gill and are listed as harmless. They look a little like grey nurse sharks and can grow up to 3 metres long.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 16metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: No
Rosebud Reef:
A lovely shallow dive situated about one kilometre offshore from Rosebud. Rosebud Reef is an area of shallow reefs rising two or three metres off the seabed in an otherwise sandy oasis. The masses of fish all congregate here to feed. This in turn attracts some lovely harmless sharks, predominantly Wobbiegongs and some seven gill sharks. A great dive to end the day.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 6metres to 10metres
Subject to shipping: No
Sanctum Reef:
This is a rugged wall dive in the very middle of the main shipping channel inside Port Phillip Bay. Diving is only possible at Sanctum Reef on slack water at the end of the Ebb or outgoing tide, and even then only if no shipping is due through the heads for the next three hours. The top of the wall is 24 metres, and the wall itself runs east-west at this point then drops off to the south where it goes down to a depth of 60 metres. Check shipping timetables before proceeding on this dive.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 24metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
Sorrento Back Beach:
Out through Port Phillip Heads past Point Nepean lies the Sorrento Back Beach. Although some of this area can be dived as a shore dive, there is a lot of this area that can’t. These areas require boat access in order to explore the lovely reefs and rocky outcrops. Usually a haven for Crayfish, Schnapper and other lovely edible and photogenic marine critters. A great dive when the seas are calm and the wind has blown from the north for a few days.
Location: Port Phillip Heads,Victoria
Depth: 6metres to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Spectacular Reef:
Spectacular Reef lies in the south channel and is therefore subject to shipping traffic. This is also part of the former Yarra River bed. The area is quite large and offers many different dive sites. All dives are characterised by a spectacular wall, which has large undercuts housing Crayfish, Blue Devil fish, beautiful soft corals, and an abundance of other sea life including Silver Trumpeter, Leatherjackets, the Rosy Wrasse and inquisitive White Ear, along with literally thousands of small Baitfish. Spectacular Reef is very aptly named. The scenery, rock formations, sheer drop-offs and the most abundant fish life in the bay, make this without a doubt, the best diving on offer in Port Phillip Bay. Unfortunately, Spectacular Reef can only be dived from boats with shipping traffic permits, and then, only if no shipping is in the area. Check shipping timetables before booking to dive this Reef.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 22metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
Deep Gutter Reef:
This dive is just inside Port Phillip Heads on the Point Nepean side, and is a great dive site for Crayfish. Home to a couple of legendary stories regarding Crays the size of Pit Bull Terriers, however, tucked away too far back under the reef to be caught. You could be the one to catch them! The terrain is a large Deep Gutter that runs east-west at a depth of approximately 35 metres, with walls on either side, rising up to around 20 metres. The terrain on top of the Talls has its own little series of shallow reefs with overhangs or undercuts. this dive should only be done at the end of the ebb tide. This is not a beginners dive but more of a challenge for advanced divers.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 20metres to 40metres
Subject to shipping: No
Spot G:
Named after one of the local diving identities, Spot G is remarkably hard to find. Some even say it doesn't exist, but it does, perseverance pays off when you finally stumble across this dive site. It's a stunning part of the Lonsdale Wall and cliff system. The wall here runs north to south with deeper water to the east. The wall has some huge splits or cracks with a few pieces having broken away from the wall itself. This is wall diving at its best. Lots of fish and some incredible colours make this an underwater photographic heaven.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 20metres to 40metres
Subject to shipping: No
South Channel Fort:
This man-made island named South Channel Fort was built in the 1880's and houses gun placements, underground tunnels and turrets. It is also the nesting ground for many species of seabird. Both the above-water and underwater environments are worth a visit. Underwater the pylons of the jetty provide a nursery for Old Wife fish.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 1metre to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Sub Reef:
Accidentally discovered by dive boat skippers, who thought they were positioned over the wreck of one of the well documented J-class submarines in the area (It does look remarkably like a submarine on the sounder) is Sub Reef. It is a great dive in its own merit and is ideal as a training dive for Advanced Open Water certification. Lots of schools of fish and plenty to see.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 18metres to 26metres
Subject to shipping: No
Sue’s Grotto:
At the very northern end of the Lonsdale reef systems lies Sue's Grotto. Named in tribute to the memory of one of the local divers of this area. Only accessible to divers at slack water, the shot line is dropped at a depth of approximately 16 metres on the northern edge of the bommie. Swimming north from the shot you drop over the edge and can descend to a maximum depth at the base of the bommie of 27 metres. The sea bed is covered in strange round rocks the size of cannonballs. You can then follow the wall around to either the south-east or the south-west. Crayfish are abundant in the south-east. Great dive with lots of fish and lots of lovely soft corals and sponges.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 16metres to 27metres
Subject to shipping: No
The Abyss:
Just inside Port Phillip Heads on the Point Lonsdale side there is a large flat area of small reefs with a lot of Crayfish lurking in the area. This site is prone to strong currents and swells, and can only be dived during slack water turning to a flood. Extreme care should be exercised on this dive, but the scenery makes it well worthwhile. Suitable for Open Water divers and above.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 15metres to 30metres
Subject to shipping: No
The Cave:
As the name would suggest the highlight of this dive is a large cave, big enough to drive a small truck into. The Cave is at 30 metres on top of a wall that runs east-west, with deeper water to the south. The dive site is in the shipping channel and should only be dived when there is no shipping, and should also only be dived at slack water at the end of an ebb or outgoing tide.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 22metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
The Farside:
Halfway between Shortland's Bluff and Point Nepean, sitting inside the shipping channel lies The Farside - A fantastic wall dive! The wall runs from east to west with the very sheer wall drop-off to the north. Some fantastic rock formations can be seen on the wall along here, as can Crayfish and massive amounts of other fish. This site can be dived during slack water only.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 20metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: No
The Links:
This site The Links is named for a massive anchor chain lost from the Japanese freighter the Ningan Maru in the late 1980s. The vessel suffered a steering failure just inside the Heads, and with the strong incoming tide was quickly pushed towards the shoreline at Shortland's Bluff. The ship's pilot gave the order to drop anchor in order to prevent the vessel being driven ashore. Later, when the problem was rectified, the anchor chain had become fouled on the seabed and was unable to be recovered. Subsequently, it was cut free. Today, the anchor chain hangs like a necklace draped over walls and over bommies as it drops from 18 metres to 60 metres at the bottom. The chain is now overgrown in beautiful sponges and is a fantastic site having created an artifical sanctuary for marine life.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 22metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
The Pinnacles:
Outside Port Phillip Heads and to the west past Point Nepean, The Pinnacles are a collection of large pinnacles of rock rising up 6 metres from the seabed. The height of these pinnacles has attracted large amounts of fish life and they are also covered in lovely coloured soft corals and sponges. A very pretty dive site.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 10metres to 15metres
Subject to shipping: No
The Plateau:
This is a dive in the middle of the Port Phillip Heads. The Plateau is a huge rocky platform located in approximately 16 metres of water, and winding its way around the edge of this platform is the Entrance. This is the deepest water in Victoria, originally part of the river Yarra. Depths at the bottom of this area are between 40 metres and 100 metres. The slack water period here is short, hard to pick and the currents are a little unpredictable. There is also the problem of the dive site being located smack bang in the shipping channel and diving here is only possible when sea conditions, the tides and shipping timetables allow. Despite all that, this area is amazing, with some fantastic rock formations sheltering an amazing array of sea life.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 16metres to 100metres
Subject to shipping: Yes
The Playground:
Another great Crayfish spot is The Playground, which is situated right in the middle of the shipping channel just outside Port Phillip Heads on Rip Bank. The location of this dive site makes it only suitable for experienced divers. The Rip Bank is a wall that runs east-west with deeper water to the north, and as such, is only suitable to dive on the end of the incoming or flood tide.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 20metres to 40metres
Subject to shipping: No
The Supermarket:
The Supermarket is a large rocky outcrop that runs out from Point Lonsdale Beach to outside Port Phillip Heads. There used to be an outfall from the abattoirs on the other side of the sand dunes many years ago, but this has now gone. The rock outcrop used to be home to hundreds of Crayfish, Port Jackson Sharks and Wobbegongs. The Crayfish are not as plentiful here as they once were, but they can still be found. This site is only suitable for diving when conditions are calm, as it is quite prone to surge from swell that is running.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 6metres to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Torpedo Reef:
Nestled in under Shortland's Bluff near Queenscliff, Torpedo Reef is a group of low-lying reefs that are home to a lovely variety of fish life and the odd Crayfish. Also a great sight to see, is the giant black Stingrays that have made their home here in Port Phillip Bay. The relative shallowness of the water here allows a lot of light and nice long bottom times. A great dive to spend just admiring the colours scattered about our temperate water reefs.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 5metres to 12metres
Subject to shipping: No
Trimix Corner:
The very deepest spot anywhere in Victoria is Trimix Corner - this is the bottom of the ancient river Yarra just inside the Heads in the main shipping channel. This area is now called the Entrance Deep. At 100 metres this is not a dive for the faint hearted. It is very black, barren and rocky with incredibly treacherous currents. Slack water is very short. The outgoing tide will quickly push you back over Rip bank with a minimum depth of 20 metres.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 90metres to 100metres
Subject to shipping: No
Twin Bommies:
Twin Bommies is exactly as its name would suggest - 2 large rock bommies standing up 18 metres off the seabed just off Point Lonsdale outside Port Phillip Bay. The bommies have a large community of fish life and are covered in bright soft corals and sponges. A great dive with lots of photo opportunities, not to mention the odd Crayfish or two.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 12metres to 18metres
Subject to shipping: No
Wayne’s World:
Wayne’s World is situated at the northern end of the Lonsdale Wall. Lonsdale Wall runs south to north and at this point, where Wayne's World is located, it turns and runs west to east. The walls tower vertically with splits and overhangs sheltering an amazing variety of soft coral and sponges. Generally this dive is done at the end of the flood so the site is at its cleanest. In this dive it is best to swim along the east-west wall first and then return following along the north-south wall before the current picks up. Enjoyable diving and interesting bottom & wall contours.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 5metres to 18metres
Subject to shipping: No
Wild Side:
Part of the Nepean Wall, the Wild Side is a great site for those chasing the elusive Crayfish. The wall here apexes in approximately 18 metres and drops to the south to a depth of 60 metres. While the wall here is spectacular, the majority of Crayfish will be on the plateau. This dive can only be done on the slack water at the end of the ebb or outgoing tide and only when the sea outside the Heads is calm.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 18metres to 60metres
Subject to shipping: No
Shore Dives
Cottages by the Sea:
Cottages By the Sea is located in the bight between Point Lonsdale and Shortland’s Bluff or Queenscliff. Named after a historic building on the Queenscliff foreshore, the diving here, although shallow is beautiful with a series of small reefs running parallel to the shore. It has plenty of undercuts and small caves for the wildlife to live in and it is here that most of the different species of fish will be found. They include Leather Jackets, Sea Dragons, Cuttlefish, Magpie Morwong, Old Wives, and some Abalone and Crayfish. Cottages By the Sea has an amazing amount of marine and fish life for an area so close to shore. The odd old and sometimes rare bottle may be found here. This is a great site for the last dive of the day or as a training dive for beginners.
Location: Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Depth: 3metres to 6metres
Subject to shipping: No
Portsea Pier:
Portsea Pier is one of Victoria's most renowned shore dives. Located on the beach in Portsea's Weroona Bay at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, Portsea is one of the busiest centres for Victorian divers. The pier is a superb dive for both the beginner and experienced diver, with new sightings guaranteed almost every dive. The famous Weedy Seadragons are often found, as are colonies of Cleaner Shrimps, Rays, and a wide variety of temperate fish. This site is often used for IDC examinations for PADI Instructors. A lot of boat traffic comes in and out around this pier so caution is required when surfacing.
Location: Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Depth: 0metres to 5metres
Subject to shipping: No
Radar Reef:
Nestled into Nepean Bay close into shore is an area of shallow reefs with a nice covering of fish life. A nice dive when everything else is blown out or for the last dive at the end of a days diving. The shallow water means great visibility and long bottom times. With a couple of shipwrecks scattered in the vicinity this is a lovely relaxing dive or snorkel.
Location: Nepean Bay, Victoria
Depth: 5metres to 10metres
Subject to shipping: No
