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Port Phillip Bay

Port Phillip Bay

Victoria, Australia

Depth
Depth Icon

60m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

3m - 8m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Experienced

Port Phillip Bay

Victoria, Australia

Port Phillip Bay
Depth
Depth Icon

60m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

3m - 8m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Experienced


About Port Phillip Bay

Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay is home to some of the best temperate water snorkelling and diving in the world. Our rocky shores have some of the most diverse and unique animals and plants in the world, 90% found nowhere else! The area in and around Port Phillip Bay supports a variety of habitats from rocky sponge covered reefs at the heads, sandy flats and kelp forests. There is excellent variety of amazing shore dives especially on our piers and ocean beaches. In addition Victoria is home to an astounding range of shipwrecks, which cater for all levels of diver including snorkellers. Uniquely there are a fleet of J-Class submarines, steamships and sailing vessels waiting to be discovered and experienced. The diving opportunities exist for snorkellers with shallow sites like the Pope's Eye and Ricketts Point Marine Parks, The shipwreck "Ozone" and the piers allow for an accessible underwater adventure. For the more advanced divers the wall dives at Port Phillip heads range down to 100m and there is a huge selection of wrecks in the Ships graveyard at depths varying from 27 -60m.

Port Phillip Bay Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Drift, Drop Off, Deep, Shark, Reef, Wall, Wreck, Other, Night, Rock

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

60m

Visibility Range

3m 8m

Experience Level

Experienced

Best Gas Mix

14% at 58m / 21%

O2
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Marine Life

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Location

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Dive Site Hazards

  • Eddy Pull-Off Zones — Eddies behind structures can pull divers away from the main drift line.

  • Delayed Surface Pickup — Strong current can exceed surface tracking assumptions, delaying boat pickup.

  • Vertical Current Shear — Currents may vary by depth, causing vertical separation even when divers stay together.

  • Edge-Accelerated Currents — Currents often strengthen along drop-off edges.

  • Depth Perception Distortion — Visual contrast can distort perceived depth.

  • Terrain-Induced Descent — Divers may unintentionally follow terrain downward.

  • Gradual Narcosis Onset — Narcosis may develop slowly, making self-assessment unreliable.

  • Task Fixation at Depth — Cognitive narrowing at depth can reduce awareness of time and ascent rate.

  • Increased Gas Density Breathing Load — Higher gas density at depth increases work of breathing.

  • Situational Awareness Loss — Divers may fixate on sharks and lose depth or position awareness.

  • Subtle Behavioural Shifts — Changes in shark behaviour may be missed without active observation.

  • Blue-Water Reference Loss — Lack of visual references increases ascent and descent instability.

  • Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

  • Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

  • Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

  • Unstable Visual Ascents — Relying on wall visuals can destabilise ascents.

  • Gradual Depth Creep — Lack of visual bottom reference can cause unnoticed descent.

  • Unsignalled Downcurrents — Downcurrents can form without visible indicators.

  • Deceptive Entry Openings — Openings may become restrictive inside due to angle, collapse, or corrosion.

  • Surge-Induced Internal Silt Shift — Internal surge can move silt and debris without direct contact.

  • Partial Overhead Environment — Many wrecks limit direct ascent even without full penetration.

  • Fine Rust Particle Silt-Out — Disturbed rust particles can rapidly reduce visibility.

  • Landmark Misidentification — Familiar sites can become unrecognisable at night.

  • Light-Induced Tunnel Vision — Focused light beams reduce peripheral awareness.

  • Depth Perception Errors — Reduced ambient light increases depth perception mistakes.

  • Bubble Trapping Under Overhangs — Rock overhangs can trap exhaled bubbles, reducing visibility and causing disorientation.

  • Reflected Surge Patterns — Surge reflecting off rock faces can create irregular and unpredictable water movement.

  • Current Funnel Effect — Narrow gaps between rocks can accelerate water flow unexpectedly.

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