When it comes to scuba diving in Melbourne there are a number of places to choose from. Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay and the Victorian Ships’ Graveyard, to name a few. But which are the best?
Port Phillip Bay
Port Phillip Bay is a popular diving destination located in Southern Victoria, Australia. This pristine bay offers an amazing underwater world of shipwrecks and kelp beds. There are many dive sites to choose from. You’ll have a great time no matter the conditions.
The waters of Port Phillip are temperate. They range from 46 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. During warmer times, there is more marine life. A great dive site for spotting sea dragons, rays, and turtles.
One of the most popular dive sites is the Ships’ Graveyard. These wrecks are home to a huge variety of marine life. Divers can find giant octopuses, squid, blue groupers, gropers, and more.
Another popular dive site is the Lonsdale Wall. This wall runs for about a kilometer. It’s almost vertical. To enter the site, divers must first observe currents. If the tide is high, the site may be pushed out of the wreck.
For advanced divers, there is the Pinnacles dive. This dive site features a three-tiered rock ledge with caves and overhangs.
In southern Australia, there are many interesting species of cephalopods. These creatures are often seen during night dives. Among them are the southern calamari squid and the southern white-spot octopus.
For open water dives, there is a chance to encounter great white sharks and stingrays. Open water dives can be challenging, though. Wetsuits are recommended. Wear booties to protect against rocks.
Port Phillip Heads is another site for exploring shipwrecks. There are more than 60 19th century ships here. Many of them were sunk in World War I.
Melbourne is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is the capital. Besides being the capital, it has many world class dive sites.
Victorian Ships’ Graveyard
If you’re looking for scuba diving in Melbourne Victoria, there are plenty of wrecks in the Ships’ Graveyard to explore. The area is a great location for both beginner and advanced divers.
Located in southern Victoria, Port Phillip Bay is an idyllic place to dive with a variety of marine life to be seen. It is a popular destination for both international and local scuba divers. There are over 600 wrecks to be explored in the Bay.
The HMVS Cerberus is the most well-known shipwreck in Port Phillip. She is located less than 200 metres from the shore of Black Rock. In 2005, the vessel was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Among the other well-known shipwrecks in the region are the SS Casino and Fiji. This particular wreck was built in 1886 and was considered the finest paddle steamer ever built.
Portsea Point is one of the best places to visit for scuba diving in Melbourne Victoria. You can access the area from the end of Portsea Pier when the tide is close to slack. The pier has shallow water most of the way.
Port Phillip Bay is known for its kelp, starfish, and sea cumbers. It is also home to several seals. These animals live on the sand, rock, and kelp. During the Ice Age, the bay was an estuary for the Yarra River.
Rex Hunter has been diving the Ships’ Graveyard for fifty years. He is a technical diver. Technical divers can navigate the strong tidal currents.
The Ships’ Graveyard is made up of a variety of ships. There are over forty obsolete vessels that were purposefully scuttled. Most of the hulls of the wrecks are covered in sponge.
Mornington Peninsula
If you’re looking to dive near Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is one of the best places to go. Located just over an hour’s drive from the city centre, this beach boasts a stunning natural environment with lots of interesting marine life. There are a number of dive sites to choose from, including the famous Flinders Pier. Here, you can experience everything from squid and rays to schools of fish and even a giant cuttlefish!
Port Phillip Bay is home to some of the most vibrant diving in Australia. It features a beautiful landscape of coral reefs, kelp, algae and fish. The area is home to a range of swell sharks, stingrays and other sea life.
During the day, you can explore the waters at Mornington Pier. Divers typically see goatfish, globefish and other species. In the evenings, rays and other creatures become more visible. You may also encounter a mysterious southern white-spot octopus.
There are also some great snorkelling options around Port Phillip Bay. Snorkelers can get close to the pylons at St Leonards Pier, where you’ll find a variety of nudibranchs.
You can also visit Bunurong Marine Park, a sheltered dive site in Victoria. This is a great spot to observe swell sharks, stingrays, swells and a whole host of colourful reef-dwelling algae. Alternatively, you can spend the day at the Portsea Pier, where you’ll have a chance to view the pylons and octopus.
Half Moon Bay is another popular dive spot. Here, you can swim among nudibranchs, sea urchins, sea hares and sea stars. Some of the more notable animals include a wrecked HMVS Cerberus. Another popular spot is Phillip Island, where you can watch the Little Penguins at sunset.
