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Portsea Hole

Portsea Hole

Victoria, Australia

Depth
Depth Icon

28m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

3m - 8m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Experienced

Portsea Hole

Victoria, Australia

Portsea Hole
Depth
Depth Icon

28m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

3m - 8m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Experienced


About 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.

Portsea Hole Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Wall, Drop Off, Deep, Night, Rock

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

28m

Visibility Range

3m 8m

Experience Level

Experienced

Best Gas Mix

21% – 37%

O2

14% at 26m / 36%

O2
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Marine Life

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Weather Conditions

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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