Dive Into Adventure at the Best Scuba Diving Sites in Melbourne
Melbourne isn’t just a city of culture and coffee—it’s also a gateway to some of the most fascinating underwater worlds Australia has to offer.
Beneath its coastal waters lies a rich marine life, historic shipwrecks, and vibrant reefs waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver chasing your next underwater thrill or a beginner looking to take the plunge, Melbourne has dive sites to suit every skill level.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the best scuba diving spots Melbourne has to offer. These sites promise not only the adventure of exploring the ocean’s depths but also the opportunity to connect with its incredible beauty and diversity.
Portsea Hole
– Media credit: justdiveee
Location: Portsea
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Portsea Hole is a gem for divers in Port Phillip Bay, known for its dramatic underwater depression plunging to 32 meters.
The walls of this natural wonder burst with vibrant sponges and soft corals, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that’s breathtaking to witness. Schools of fish weave through the waters, making it feel like you’ve entered another world.
What sets Portsea Hole apart is the incredible variety of marine life. Rays, leatherjackets, and wrasse are common companions during dives, adding a sense of wonder to every descent.
Pro Tip:
Plan your dive during slack tide for the best visibility and safer conditions. Bring a torch to illuminate the vibrant colors of the sponges and spot hidden marine life tucked into crevices, particularly at the deeper sections of the wall.
Blairgowrie Pier
– Media credit: stevenkuiter
Location: Blairgowrie
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Website: Mornington Pier
Blairgowrie Pier is a must-visit destination for macro photography enthusiasts and marine life lovers. The pier’s pylons are encrusted with colorful sponges. It attracts a plethora of marine species like nudibranchs, seahorses, and cuttlefish.
Thanks to its shallow waters and calm conditions, it’s accessible to beginners while still fascinating for experienced divers.
What truly sets Blairgowrie Pier apart is the annual spider crab migration. It draws divers eager to witness this natural spectacle.
Pro Tip:
Time your visit during late autumn for the spider crab migration, and bring a macro lens for detailed photography. Carefully inspect the pylons to uncover hidden treasures like camouflaged seahorses and colorful nudibranchs.
HMAS Canberra Wreck
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Location: Offshore from Ocean Grove
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
The HMAS Canberra Wreck is a diver’s dream, combining historical intrigue with a thriving marine ecosystem.
Resting at 30 meters, the wreck has become an artificial reef, supporting sponges, corals, and schools of fish.
Its open structure allows for safe exploration of decks and passageways, making it particularly attractive to wreck diving enthusiasts. As you descend into the wreck, you’ll be greeted by an abundance of marine life, including snapper, kingfish, and smaller reef species.
Pro Tip:
Dive in the morning when conditions are calmer, and use a torch to explore the wreck’s interior. The light will enhance your view of the vibrant marine life and reveal intricate details in the ship’s structure.
Lonsdale Wall
– Media credit: will_the_lad
Location: Queenscliff
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Lonsdale Wall is a dramatic dive site featuring towering cliffs and ledges teeming with marine life. The underwater landscape is adorned with sponges, soft corals, and schools of reef fish.
Drift diving is a popular choice here, as the site’s gentle currents allow divers to glide effortlessly along the wall.
What makes Lonsdale Wall unique is the combination of its stunning topography and rich biodiversity. Divers frequently encounter larger species like rays and smaller critters hidden in the wall’s crevices.
Pro Tip:
Plan your dive during slack tide to reduce currents and maximize visibility. Bring a wide-angle lens for photography to capture the dramatic underwater cliffs and vibrant marine life in all its glory.
Pope’s Eye
– Media credit: helloashh
Location: Port Phillip Bay
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Pope’s Eye is an excellent dive site for beginners. It offers shallow depths and calm waters teeming with marine life. The gentle conditions make it equally enjoyable for snorkelers and experienced divers.
Its location within a protected marine park ensures a thriving underwater ecosystem that’s perfect for exploration. The circular structure creates an enclosed area that’s easy to navigate, making it a great training site for new divers.
This man-made fort-turned-marine sanctuary hosts vibrant coral formations, schools of fish, and even playful seals. The marine life includes species like snapper, wrasse, and blue devil fish.
Pro Tip:
Visit during low tide for the clearest water, and bring a camera to capture the colorful coral gardens. Keep an eye out for seals that often pass through!
Flinders Pier
– Media credit: steven.walsh.photo
Location: Flinders
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Flinders Pier is a must-visit dive site for spotting the elusive weedy sea dragon, one of the most iconic marine species in Victoria. The pier’s pylons are covered in marine growth, creating a habitat for a wide array of fish and invertebrates.
The shallow waters and easy access make it suitable for divers of all levels, while the calm conditions and sheltered environment provide ample opportunities for relaxed exploration.
Divers can encounter rays, octopuses, and schools of reef fish in addition to weedy sea dragons. The vibrant ecosystem around the pier ensures there’s always something interesting to observe.
Pro Tip:
Bring a camera with a macro lens to capture the intricate patterns of weedy sea dragons. Dive early in the morning when the water is calm, giving you the best chance to spot these elusive creatures.
Rye Pier
– Media credit: _crystoss
Location: Rye
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Rye Pier is a favorite among divers and snorkelers alike, offering calm waters and an abundance of marine life. The site is particularly popular for night dives, where species like octopus, squid, and cuttlefish are more active.
Its shallow depth and gentle conditions make it accessible to beginners and rewarding for experienced divers. In addition, the pier’s structure provides a habitat for seahorses, reef fish, and colorful sponges.
The clear waters allow for great visibility, enhancing the experience for underwater photographers.
Pro Tip:
For a memorable night dive, bring a powerful torch to spot nocturnal creatures like squid and cuttlefish. Focus on the sandy areas around the pier for hidden marine life like rays and flatheads.
Mornington Pier
– Media credit: jjaakkgg
Location: Warrigal Rd, Heatherton
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Website:
Mornington Pier is a popular diving location offering easy access to a diverse marine ecosystem. The pier is known for sightings of squid, flathead, and colorful reef fish, making it an engaging site for all skill levels.
Its proximity to amenities and calm waters adds to its appeal for divers and snorkelers alike. The underwater environment around the pier includes sponge gardens and rocky reefs, providing a habitat for marine species.
Mornington Pier is also a great spot for photography, with clear waters and vibrant colors. Its accessibility also makes it ideal for quick dives or longer exploration sessions.
Pro Tip:
Visit at high tide for the best marine activity, and bring a squid jig for a chance to catch your dinner post-dive. Look for small crevices near the pylons to spot hidden marine life.
St. Leonards Pier
– Media credit: lowritides
Location: St. Leonards
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
St. Leonards Pier is a fantastic dive site featuring calm, shallow waters and diverse marine life. The site’s sponge gardens and seagrass beds create a rich habitat for creatures such as seahorses, rays, and small reef fish.
Its sheltered conditions make it ideal for beginners and macro photography enthusiasts alike. The pier’s structure provides plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, revealing hidden marine treasures.
The seagrass beds around the area are also home to juvenile fish, making it a great spot for observing marine behavior. Divers often spend hours uncovering new details and photographing the vibrant underwater life.
Pro Tip:
Bring a macro lens to capture detailed shots of seahorses and other small critters hiding in the seagrass. Early mornings offer the best lighting and calmer conditions for photography.
South Channel Fort
– Media credit: watermaarq
Location: Port Phillip Bay
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
South Channel Fort is a fascinating dive site offering a mix of history and marine life. Originally a fortification, the site now serves as an artificial reef. It attracts fish, sponges, and corals.
Divers can explore the remnants of the structure while observing the thriving ecosystem it supports. The underwater features of the fort include tunnels, walls, and open areas teeming with marine species like snapper and leatherjackets.
Its unique blend of man-made structures and natural biodiversity makes it an intriguing spot for exploration. The relatively shallow depths make it accessible to intermediate divers looking for a mix of history and adventure.
Pro Tip:
Bring a dive torch to illuminate the tunnels and highlight the details of the fort’s structure. Morning dives are best for calmer waters and optimal lighting for photography.
Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary
– Media credit: parksvic
Location: Aireys Inlet
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary is a breathtaking dive site known for its underwater canyons and kelp forests.
The sanctuary’s rich biodiversity includes schools of fish, rays, and vibrant marine flora, making it a haven for underwater explorers. Its protected status ensures a pristine environment perfect for observing marine life.
The dramatic underwater terrain features towering rock formations and hidden crevices. Divers can swim through kelp forests and along rocky ridges, encountering a variety of species along the way.
Pro Tip:
Dive during calmer weather conditions to enjoy better visibility and safer navigation through the canyons. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the dramatic underwater formations and the vibrant life they support.
Wonder Reef
– Media credit: aaron_shore
Location: Broadwater, Gold Coast
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Wonder Reef is an awe-inspiring artificial reef that doubles as an underwater art installation, creating a unique diving experience. Suspended structures provide a thriving habitat for marine life, such as colorful corals, schools of fish, and even the occasional turtle.
Its depth makes it suitable for intermediate and advanced divers. The combination of art and marine conservation makes Wonder Reef a standout destination. The structures are designed to sway gently with the currents, adding an element of surreal beauty to your dive.
Visibility is often excellent, making it a top spot for underwater photography and exploration. Wonder Reef offers a one-of-a-kind experience where art, science, and marine biodiversity blend seamlessly.
Pro Tip:
Plan your dive for a day with calm seas, and bring a wide-angle lens to capture the sweeping views of the sculptures and marine life. Early morning dives offer the best visibility and lighting for photography.
Dromana Pier
– Media credit: redhillspa
Location: Dromana
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Dromana Pier is a hidden gem for divers, offering a tranquil underwater environment with abundant marine life. The pier’s pylons are covered in sponges and seaweed, attracting species such as squid, flathead, and seahorses.
Its shallow waters make it an excellent choice for beginners and snorkelers. The calm conditions and sheltered location provide a relaxing dive experience, perfect for leisurely exploration.
The pier’s structure serves as a haven for smaller marine creatures, making it a great spot for macro photography. Evening dives are particularly rewarding as nocturnal species become more active.
Pro Tip:
Bring a macro lens to capture close-ups of seahorses and small fish near the pylons. Dive during high tide for clearer water and more active marine life around the pier.