Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Victoria

One of Melbourne most well known and best shore dive location. Abundance of fish life including cuttle fish, crays, sea dragons, etc. Best dived on high tide, with no wind or Northerlies as surface conditions remain calm. The dive site opens up towards the main "heads" of Port Phillip Bay and is often exposed to ocean swell. On a good day it is an awesome dive with significant cliff faces, bommies and rock formations down to a depth of about 8-9 metres. It can get a little busy during summer. Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then onto Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula. The dive site is not sign posted however it has become known due to the Orphanage on the main road into Queencliff called "Cottage by the Sea". Parking is good, and only a short 150m stroll over the sand dunes is required to enter the water.

Very good dive site. Rocky shoals along the pier... Mornington !

This is a nice dive for divers between 16m to 33m so it can be accessed by all level divers. (staying within their level of cert) This site is affected by currents and can be quite demanding at times, vis is also affected by surging currents and may vary from 1m to about 20m. for those suitably certified if you swim to the funnels you can drop down the funnels and you end up in the engine room. Also if you make your way to the galley on the mid deck towards the bow there is a mural painted on one of the walls which makes for a good photo. At this stage there is very little silting but I do believe this may not be the case within years to come, so you must asses this site to your own experience and cert level to determine how you will plan your dive. This site is approx 2km offshore between Barwon heads and Ocean grove and is accessible only from a boat. This site has limited access and is accessible via a commercial dive charter (Dive Victoria is a good option) Alternatively if you are using your own boat you must book a window (2hrs) for a mooring via parks Victoria.There are good moorings fixed to the bottom and they are well maintained. HMAS Canberra is also known as FFG-02 Ex HMAS Canberra.

"HMAS J5 was formerly HMS J5 [1], a First World War J class submarine built for the Royal Navy by HM Dockyard at Devonport in Plymouth. The J's were three-screw diesel electric submarines of some 1,800 tons armed with 6 torpedo tubes, two of these in the beam position, and a 4-inch gun. They were built to have a fast surfaced speed; in practice nearly 20 knots. J5 was launched on 9 September 1915 and commissioned on 6 May 1916. She and the other J's were members of the 11th Submarine Flotilla. She served in the North Sea chiefly in operations against German destroyers and U-boats, most of encounters were with the latter. Although engaging several times with enemies the closest she got to sinking the enemy was striking U-86 with a torpedo which fortunately for them did not explode. After the war, she was transferred along with other members of her class to Australia on 25 March 1919. There she operated out of Geelong in Victoria until paid off on 12 July 1922 as a cost-saving exercise. She was sold on 26 February 1924 and after stripping she and J1 and J2 were sunk in deep water outside Port Phillip Bay on 4 June 1926." Source: Wikipedia.org Port Phillip Bay HMAS J5 Submarine is also known as 36m Submarine J5, The yellow sub, 35m Submarine.

"HMAS J4 was a J class submarine built by HM Dockyard at Pembroke in Wales and launched on 2 February 1916, was transferred to Australia on 25 March 1919 and operated out of Geelong in Victoria, paid off on 12 July 1922, was sold on 26 February 1924 but sank at her moorings at Williamstown on 10 July 1924, was raised and scuttled off Port Phillip in 1927" Source: Wikipedia.org J4 submarine is the shallowest of the subs located outside Port Phillip Bay. The wreck is broken in half. Port Phillip bay HMAS J4 Submarine is also known as Shallow submarine, 26m Submarine.

Many wrecks. Only dive at slack tide Located on the Lonsdale side of Port Phillip Heads Lonsdale Reef is also known as Longsdale Reef.

The top of the wall starts at 13 metres deep and drops of to 90 metres in some parts. This is a slack water dive. 20 Min from Queenscliff. Wall must be dived on slack water. Drift on top of wall when tides are running

Portsea Hole - great for first aow dive

"HMAS J3 formerly HMS J3 was a J class submarine built for the Royal Navy by HM Dockyard at Pembroke in Wales and launched on 4 December 1915, was transferred to Australia on 25 March 1919 and operated out of Geelong in Victoria, paid off on 12 July 1922, was sold in April 1924 and sunk in 1926" Source: Wikipedia.org Near Swan Island HMAS J3 Submarine is also known as Swan Island Submarine.

During summer months this pier can have dozens of fishermen - stay below the pier to avoid being hooked. Rye, Mornington Peninsula Enter by jumping from lower landing on eastern side of pier. Exit via ladder at end of landing.

SS Coogee is a 67 metres (220 feet) long steamship used to transpost cargo and passengers. 4 kilometres offshore between Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads

SS Courier is a 800 tons steel steamer vessel scuttled in 1928. north-east of the Ships' Graveyard

Nepean Bay is part of the Harold Holt Marine Reserve: it is a look and don't touch zone! Nepean bay is closest to the end of Point Nepean tip. IMPORTANT: Shore entry is prohibited due to Military installations. Point Nepean is a restricted area: don't land on the beach !

Classic dive site for anyone to practice skills. The bottom is mostly sandy and the pylons are covered in colorful sponges.. Portsea, at the end of Mornington Peninsula; Port Phillip Bay.

Lot of sponges on the pylons. Blairgowrie, South of Port Philip's bay. There is a ladder in the middle of the pier.

Drift dive along a kelp forest and broken sandstone reef. Schools of large yellow tail kingfish during summer. Drift between Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.

Approx 1 km from the Point Lonsdale Light, just outside Port Phillip Heads.

Set of caves, drop offs and overhangs. Out from Shortlands Bluff, off of Queenscliff.

130 Foot Sub scuttled by explosives June 1st, 1926. Approx three miles off Barwon Heads HMAS J2 Submarine is also known as J2 Sub.

46m long iron barque built in 1874. The bow is great. South of Queenscliff.

Series of boulders and slabs. Mornington. Over the rocks at the Western end of the Fisherman's Beach boat ramp area. Fisherman's Beach is also known as Point Linley Reef.

Bottom: chasms, ledges and caves with kelp on top. Just east of Point Lonsdale.

Lonsdale

Smiths Beach is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Phillip Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Beware Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Williamstown Beach is also known as Crystals.

Cape Schank is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Queenscliff Pier is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Seals frequent the #10 marker makes an interesting dive

Rotomahana Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Franklin Point is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Portsea Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Frankston Pier is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

HMAS Cerebrus Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Schnapper Point Jetty is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Flat Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

St Kilda Pier is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Frankston Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Queenscilff Bottle Drift is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Safety Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Rosebud Pier is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Great place to find very old bottles

Qurantine Station wall is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

GREAT SCOLLOP DIVE Blairgowie

Brighton Pier is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Great for finding old bottles

Mt Martha Point is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Diamond Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, VIC, Melbourne which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Walk-in off beach

Not always available to dive due to swell/surge. Good dive for crays and Abalone. Must have current Vic fishing licence to take crays and/or Abalone. This side also often has a few seals hanging around which are always happy for a photo shoot. Access from Portland Harbour via 30 minute boat trip. Difficult to arrange charters and therefor small groups would require private boat to access.

Suggested dive on a high tide, I would walk down the peir until you get to the lowerlanding on the right hand side and do a wide stride entry. Descend to the bottom about 3m and proceed under the landing and peir to the outside wall of the peir. Head along the wall you will find cuttle fish and various fish life proceed up to near the end of the wall where you may encounter leafy sea dragons. When the wall ends and turns to the right I would suggest that you do a surface swim back towards the main part of the peir and continue along it until it is shallow enough to walk out. Beware of boat traffic in this last section. You will see the boats moored as you enter the water at the start of the dive off the lower platform. This site is easily found as it can be seen from either entry to Portarlington. There is ample parking and shower/toilet facilities in the car park to the right of the peir. Portarlington Peir is also known as Port peir.

As mentioned this is a very weather dependant site. Although current is not a problem, surge can be. This bay area is definately the best dive at Lawrence Rocks. Due to normally being pounded by the southern ocean there is far less kelp and a very rugged terrain. The best spot to find crays and abalone (In season, with a fishing licence and obey all size and catch limits). If you follow the wall south there is an awesome wall covered in brilliant sponges and jewel anenomies. Viz is very variable but usually if the weather is calm enough to dive this side it can be quite good and at +20m. Access to Lawrence Rocks is via boat from Portland. Charters can be arranged but small groups would really need their own boat. Lawrence Rocks is very weather dependant especially on the west side as the swell usually comes from the SW. When the conditions are right you can anchor in the small bay area on the SW corner.

Access via boat

"HMS J1 later HMAS J1 was a Royal Navy J class submarine built by HM Dockyard at Portsmouth in Hampshire and launched on 6 November 1915. J1 operated in patrols in the North Sea. In November 1916 a German force made up of half a destroyer flotilla, three dreadnoughts and a battlecruiser set out from port to rescue two submarines U-20 and U-30 that were stranded in fog off Jutland. On the return having only rescued one of the submarines the force passed J1 off Horns Reef on 5 November 1916. Two of the dreadnoughts, the SMS Kronprinz and SMS Großer Kurfürst were torpedoed earning J1's captain, Commander Laurence, a Bar to his DSO. The dreadnoughts were not sunk but managed to reach port where they had to remain for some time while undergoing repairs. She was transferred along with 5 other J class submarines to Australia on 25 March 1919 and operated out of Geelong in Victoria. She was paid off on 12 July 1922, sold on 26 February 1924 and sunk as a breakwater on 26 May 1926." Source: Wikipedia.org HMAS J1 Submarine is also known as 36m Submarine, Intact Sub.

Castle Rock is basically a square lump of rock, about the size of a football field, sitting alone in an area with a limestone and sand bottom. The top of the rock is at 12 m (40 ft) and usually the shot line is dropped right on top to allow divers to adjust their gear before "plunging" over the edges of the rock formation. The site has lots of macro fauna all over it with lots of nudibranchs grazing. One wall is covered in tiny yellow zoeanthids. There are of undercuts at the 20 m (62 ft) max depth where you may sight a cray, or two, usually missing their horns from past encounters with divers. Southern Blue Devils also hide in the cracks and holes. The Heads, Bass Straight.

Great sealife with a lot of Invertebrates Flinders !

The Pope's Eye is the uncompleted foundation for an island fort intended to defend the entrance to Port Phillip Bay in the state of Victoria, Australia. It has been protected as a marine reserve since 1979 and is now part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park. It is located about 7 km inside Port Phillip Heads, 3 km east of Queenscliff and 5 km north of Portsea. It is named after a naval midshipman and has no religious connotations. Construction of the Pope's Eye began in the 1880s, under the supervision of Sir William Jervoise, by dumping bluestone boulders on a submerged (12 m deep) sandbank until they formed a horse-shoe shaped artificial reef, open to the north-east, just above high-water level. Construction ceased before completion as a fort because improvements in naval gunnery enabled the entrance to Port Phillip (The Rip) and the associated shipping channel to be protected by guns at the nearby Swan Island fort, as well as at Fort Queenscliff and Point Nepean, making the Pope's Eye redundant for military purposes. The reef now now hosts a navigation beacon. The inside of the 'eye' is only about 2 m deep and is accessible to small boats as a sheltered anchorage. It is protected from strong currents and the whole structure is popular with snorkellers and scuba-divers. The reef provides a rich habitat based on the underwater forest of marine algae, such as Giant Kelp and Leathery Kelp, that sustains a rich fauna of fish and marine invertebrates, including sponges and soft corals. The Pope's Eye is an important breeding site for Australasian Gannets, which breed on platforms constructed for them as well as on the rocks of the reef. The site is often visited by Australian Fur Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins. Source: Wikipedia Southern end of Port Phillip Bay. Four kilometres from the Heads between Portsea and Queenscliff Pope's Eye is also known as Popes Eye.

Be aware this site is best dived on a slack water to an ebb tide as it will have a strong current pushing you down the beach if dived on the flood tide. Once on the beach enter the water between 2 rock formations directly in front of you. You will need to snorkel out about 100 m to get to the main part of the reef and then proceed to the right. You will find a wide variety of fish life the occasional cray and various swim throughs and ledges. Enter this site from the Queenscliff road next to the Cottage by the sea Respite holiday mansion about 2kms before Queenscliff. As you drive towards Queenscliff it is on the right hand side. There is a grassy area to park then walk down to the beach via the steps directly to your front.

About 350 metres east of Lawrence rock on the sheltered side lies the Emily S. A purpose sunk wreck she lays beautifully upright on her keel in 24 metres between two rocky reefs. She was scuttled on the 1st September 1991 by the PDS dive club. The Emily S is an old fishing trawler 30 metres in length. Although 20 years old she is still in great intact condition and is a great dive for beginers to experience some easy penetration dives on. Often has a family of Weedy Seadragons near the prop. Access to the site can only be done via 30min boat trip from Portland Harbour. The GPS mark should be right on but use your sounder in general area to locate wreck as will show easily. Finding a dive charter can be difficult and is mainly dived from private vessels. Site is on the lee side of Lawrence Rocks but is still very weather dependant.

This are is a sanctuary, so look - but don't touch. Reefs are all around this island with some extending right from the bottom to the surface (10m walls). There are caves, swimthroughs, bull kelp forests, much marine life, etc. Diving here can range from easy to intermediate, depending on the tide, swell and weather. This are can be quite dangerous if the sea is rough, with strong currents and surge when wells are up! It is best dived when the wind is comming from the North and the swell is very low. This area also offers some nice views for snorkelers for this part of the state, and is debatably one of the best shore dives that Warrnambool has to offer in the right conditions. Car parks are plentiful around Stingray bay, but so are the visitors (families who swim at stingray bay) during the summer school holidays. A toilet block around 50m away offers fresh cold water showers, and a place to change. You will need to walk around 70 metres across the sand to get to your dive point, and just before the dive entry point, will cross a small channel. Shore access. Car park is near site (Stingray Bay). Toilets (with cold showers and change rooms) are 50m from the stairs access to the beach. Make way through middle of the two islands towards the reef out the back. Needs to be calm ocean - strong currents can exist between and around the island, so dive on good conditions. Middle Island is also known as Middle Island Warrnambool.

Construction work began in 1878 with the laying of about 14,000 bluestone rocks. It was originally constructed to as a fort with gun emplacements, to guard the southern channel of the bay and the Port of Melbourne from a perceived threat of the Russian invasion during the Gold rush of the 1880s. As such it was a part of a bigger strategic defence initiative which included Port Nepean and Queenscliff in a triangle of defence. The Fort was used during the 1950s-1980s for the storage of explosives for blasting the rocks in The Rip and was added to the Mornington Peninsula National Park in 1995. It is now listed on the Register of the National Estate in recognition of the role the island plays as a breeding site for the White-Faced Storm-petrel and for its military and historical significance. It is also classified by the National Trust. The South Channel Fort is a great dive as there is always a side sheltered from the currents that race through the bay. The island is situated in otherwise barren sand flat and has attracted a vast amount of marine life to the area. The rocky slopes of the Fort go down to around 12 metres. The waters are littered with large granite boulders, forming caves and hideaways, caverns, tunnels and the like which make it a photographers dream come true. On the western side of the fort is a small landing jetty, where the water drops down to about 12 metres to a sandy uninteresting bottom. The best diving is certainly in amongst the sea grass or rocky reef between this maximum depth and the western shore line of the Fort. If time permits between tides, the Fort can be circumnavigated at about 5 metres. On the Eastern edge are several large pylons which have collapsed. These were something to do with the second world war and the protective nets that were drawn across the bays channel. The South Channel Fort is a man made island of about 0.7 ha, in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria approximately 6 km north-east of Sorrento. Latitude: 38° 18.407′ S Longitude: 144° 48.022′ E The South Channel Fort is a great dive as there is always a side sheltered from the currents that race through the bay. The island is situated in otherwise barren sand flat and has attracted a vast amount of marine life to the area. The rocky slopes of the Fort go down to around 12 metres. There is also plenty to see on around the pylons of the jetty. Best to dive the jetty and western side on the ebb tide.