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Melbourne Reef Dives

Melbourne's unique temperate water reefs

When most people mention reefs, they usually mean coral reefs, without realising that reefs can be extensive in temperate (cooler) waters. There are fundamental differences in the structure and dynamics of tropical and temperate reefs.

Temperate reefs consist of a rocky substrate, which is colonised by a range of algae and attached invertebrates. Coral reefs are built up by small animals that secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton (corals). Temperate waters are cooler and nutrient levels tend to be higher compared to reefs in tropical waters.

In contrast to the domination by corals on tropical reefs, the dominant biota on temperate reefs are generally macroalgae where there is enough light. In temperate systems, the majority of carbon fixed is via these large algae. In tropical systems, the majority of carbon fixed is by the symbiotic relationship of microscopic algae living in the tissue of sponges and corals. Contrary to common belief, corals are common in temperate waters, but they do not build reefs here.

Australia's Unique South

Australia is well known for its spectacular tropical coral reefs, such as Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Less well known is Australia's Great Sourthern Reef.

The reefs of Victoria's southern temperate waters are a part of the Great Southern Reef and are truly unique. Victoria's long south-facing coastline means we have a huge temperate (or cold water) marine environment.

Australia's many millions of years of geographical isolation means our reefs and marine environment have developed in response to an uncommon combination of environmental forces.

Not surprisingly, the marine life of southern Australia contain a multitude of species found nowhere else on earth. While coral reefs support a huge variety of fish species, it is the temperate southern areas that support a greater diversity of marine life (especially flora and invertebrate fauna). Researchers call this region Australia's Unique South.

The Unique flora and fauna of Victoria's marine environment

Consider these facts: 85% of the temperate fish species, 95% of the species of molluscs, and 90% of the species of sea stars or sea urchins (echinoderms) are unique to temperate Australia. Huge ranges of sea squirts (ascidians) are also found, with 189 species recorded. Many of these species are reef dwellers at some stage of their life cycle.

As a comparison in the tropics, where many species tend to disperse more widely, only 13% of fish species, 10% of molluscs and 13% of echinoderms are unique to the region.

In Southern waters 1,100 species of red algae described so far represent 25% of the world's total, with 75% of them being unique to our region.

Artificial Reefs

Many ships have come to grief in Victoria waters, plus there is an extensive Ships' Graveyard in Bass Strait, not far from the entrance to Port Phillip Bay and the Port of Melbourne. These wrecks have all become exciting artificial reefs and home to thousands of marine creatures.

Melbourne Reef Dive Locations

You can see where the popular Melbourne and Victorian reef dive locations are via our Melbourne Dive Sites Map. The GPS marks for these reef dives are also listed here, plus on our Melbourne Dive Site GPS Marks page.

18 Metre Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.314′ S   (38.288567° S / 38° 17′ 18.84″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.335′ E   (144.57225° E / 144° 34′ 20.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 20:10:50 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: The Ledges, 86 m, bearing 133°, SE
Depth: 12 to 18 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the 18 Metre Reef dive site page
Aspendale Rec Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 2.168′ S   (38.036133° S / 38° 2′ 10.08″ S) Longitude: 145° 4.616′ E   (145.076933° E / 145° 4′ 36.96″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-25 05:16:38 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Tyre Reef, 1,692 m, bearing 174°, S
Artificial reef installed to improve recreational fishing. Depth: 11 m.
See the Aspendale Rec Reef dive site page
Awesome Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.100′ S   (38.285° S / 38° 17′ 6″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.395′ E   (144.656583° E / 144° 39′ 23.7″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 20:16:38 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Knawesome Bommie, 101 m, bearing 197°, SSW
Depth: 12 to 40 m.
See the Awesome Reef dive site page
Back Beach Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 21.764′ S   (38.362733° S / 38° 21′ 45.84″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.797′ E   (144.729942° E / 144° 43′ 47.79″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-02-20 12:26:01 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-28 23:24:07 GMT Source: John Lawler GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Jubilee Point, 975 m, bearing 31°, NNE
Depth: 6 to 20 m.
See the Back Beach Cray Reef dive site page
Beacon Reef, Daveys Bay		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 9.824′ S   (38.163739° S / 38° 9′ 49.46″ S) Longitude: 145° 5.279′ E   (145.087985° E / 145° 5′ 16.75″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-05 04:44:40 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Pelican Point Reef, Daveys Bay, 291 m, bearing 54°, NE
Depth: 3 to 5 m.
See the Beacon Reef, Daveys Bay dive site page
Black Rock Schoal		Boat access
Latitude: 37° 58.851′ S   (37.98085° S / 37° 58′ 51.06″ S) Longitude: 145° 0.683′ E   (145.011383° E / 145° 0′ 40.98″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-19 02:29:13 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Black Rock Jetty, Half Moon Bay, 1,292 m, bearing 353°, N
See the Black Rock Schoal dive site page
Boarfish Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.111′ S   (38.285183° S / 38° 17′ 6.66″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.301′ E   (144.63835° E / 144° 38′ 18.06″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-28 04:15:05 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: 12lb Reef, 66 m, bearing 59°, ENE
Depth: 10 to 25 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Boarfish Reef dive site page
Buckley Park Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.994′ S   (38.283233° S / 38° 16′ 59.64″ S) Longitude: 144° 32.936′ E   (144.548933° E / 144° 32′ 56.16″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-19 02:30:17 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: ex HMAS Canberra, 1,900 m, bearing 194°, SSW
Depth: 8 to 16 m.
See the Buckley Park Reef dive site page
Cape Schanck Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 28.434′ S   (38.473907° S / 38° 28′ 26.07″ S) Longitude: 144° 52.076′ E   (144.867933° E / 144° 52′ 4.56″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-02-20 12:31:56 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-20 16:18:09 GMT Source: John Lawler GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Cape Schanck West, 2,924 m, bearing 147°, SSE
Depth: 6 to 20 m.
See the Cape Schanck Cray Reef dive site page
Chimney Rock		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.089′ S   (38.301483° S / 38° 18′ 5.34″ S) Longitude: 144° 30.198′ E   (144.5033° E / 144° 30′ 11.88″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-12 01:30:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-28 05:10:06 GMT Source: Alan Bechurst GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Orungal, 1,635 m, bearing 21°, NNE
Depth: 24 m.
See the Chimney Rock dive site page
Deep Pinnacles		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.847′ S   (38.29745° S / 38° 17′ 50.82″ S) Longitude: 144° 35.699′ E   (144.594983° E / 144° 35′ 41.94″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 20:27:22 GMT Source: Peter Fear GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Golden Arch, 137 m, bearing 275°, W
Depth: 16 to 25 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the Deep Pinnacles dive site page
Dragons Lair		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.421′ S   (38.29035° S / 38° 17′ 25.26″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.859′ E   (144.580983° E / 144° 34′ 51.54″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 20:29:57 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: The Supermarket, 375 m, bearing 299°, WNW
Depth: 12 to 18 m. Dive only on: Ebb, Flood.
See the Dragons Lair dive site page
Fishermans Beach and Point Linley Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 13.596′ S   (38.226605° S / 38° 13′ 35.78″ S) Longitude: 145° 1.548′ E   (145.025807° E / 145° 1′ 32.91″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-02 03:24:21 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Marina Cove, 116 m, bearing 152°, SSE
Depth: 5 to 10 m.
See the Fishermans Beach and Point Linley Reef dive site page
Flinders Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 29.997′ S   (38.499951° S / 38° 29′ 59.82″ S) Longitude: 145° 0.564′ E   (145.009398° E / 145° 0′ 33.83″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-02-20 12:34:54 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-20 16:11:06 GMT Source: John Lawler GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Flinders Back Beach, 2,006 m, bearing 22°, NNE
Depth: 6 to 20 m.
See the Flinders Cray Reef dive site page
Frankston Reef, Olivers Hill		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 9.342′ S   (38.155693° S / 38° 9′ 20.49″ S) Longitude: 145° 6.302′ E   (145.105026° E / 145° 6′ 18.09″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-02 02:57:48 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Frankston Pier, 1,330 m, bearing 31°, NNE
Depth: 2 to 6 m.
See the Frankston Reef, Olivers Hill dive site page
Geoffs Hole		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.958′ S   (38.2993° S / 38° 17′ 57.48″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.568′ E   (144.676133° E / 144° 40′ 34.08″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 22:09:40 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Cattle Jetty Drift, 452 m, bearing 124°, SE
Depth: 18 to 40 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Geoffs Hole dive site page
Giddiup		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.181′ S   (38.303017° S / 38° 18′ 10.86″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.769′ E   (144.612817° E / 144° 36′ 46.14″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 22:12:16 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Lonsdale Bommies, 371 m, bearing 351°, N
Depth: 14 to 20 m. Dive only on: Ebb.
See the Giddiup dive site page
Golden Arch		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.840′ S   (38.297333° S / 38° 17′ 50.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 35.605′ E   (144.593417° E / 144° 35′ 36.3″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-14 18:22:04 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 23:35:27 GMT Source: Alan Beckhurst GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Deep Pinnacles, 137 m, bearing 95°, E
Depth: 23 m. (aka Cuttle Arch)
See the Golden Arch dive site page
Golden Bommies		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 33.069′ S   (38.55115° S / 38° 33′ 4.14″ S) Longitude: 145° 13.450′ E   (145.224167° E / 145° 13′ 27″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-09 06:56:16 GMT Source: Peter Fear GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Pyramid Rock, 2,557 m, bearing 356°, N
Depth: 20 to 38 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the Golden Bommies dive site page
Gull Island		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 33.598′ S   (38.559963° S / 38° 33′ 35.87″ S) Longitude: 145° 21.603′ E   (145.360042° E / 145° 21′ 36.15″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-06-06 18:13:08 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-06 18:22:14 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Phillip Island Cray Reef, 1,233 m, bearing 181°, S
Depth: 6 to 8 m.
See the Gull Island dive site page
Hot Spot		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.893′ S   (38.28155° S / 38° 16′ 53.58″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.703′ E   (144.661717° E / 144° 39′ 42.18″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 00:30:58 GMT Source: John Lawler. Accuracy unknown.
Nearest Neighbour: Kelp Beds Reef Drift, 275 m, bearing 219°, SW
Depth: 20 m.
See the Hot Spot dive site page
Jims Hole		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.043′ S   (38.28405° S / 38° 17′ 2.58″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.618′ E   (144.643633° E / 144° 38′ 37.08″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-17 21:26:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-19 02:33:05 GMT Source: Peter Fear GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Easter Bommie, 49 m, bearing 348°, NNW
Depth: 16 to 23 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Jims Hole dive site page
Jubilee Point		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 21.317′ S   (38.355278° S / 38° 21′ 19″ S) Longitude: 144° 44.150′ E   (144.735833° E / 144° 44′ 9″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-31 02:29:00 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: St Pauls Rock, 361 m, bearing 337°, NNW
Depth: 5 to 10 m.
See the Jubilee Point dive site page
Kanowna Island		Boat access
Latitude: 39° 9.049′ S   (39.150817° S / 39° 9′ 2.94″ S) Longitude: 146° 18.385′ E   (146.306417° E / 146° 18′ 23.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-13 01:58:56 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-13 21:16:31 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Gulf of Carpentaria, 1,179 m, bearing 295°, WNW
Depth: 15 m.
See the Kanowna Island dive site page
Kelp Beds Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.056′ S   (38.284267° S / 38° 17′ 3.36″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.394′ E   (144.6399° E / 144° 38′ 23.64″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 00:37:11 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: 12lb Reef, 104 m, bearing 228°, SW
Depth: 8 to 23 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Kelp Beds Reef dive site page
Lonsdale Arches		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.989′ S   (38.299817° S / 38° 17′ 59.34″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.587′ E   (144.609783° E / 144° 36′ 35.22″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 00:44:53 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Twin Bommies, 83 m, bearing 57°, ENE
Depth: 12 to 18 m. Dive only on: Ebb.
See the Lonsdale Arches dive site page
Lost Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 19.024′ S   (38.317067° S / 38° 19′ 1.44″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.929′ E   (144.58215° E / 144° 34′ 55.74″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 00:38:56 GMT Source: Alan Beckhurst GPS
Nearest Neighbour: J2 Broken Submarine, 430 m, bearing 334°, NNW
Depth: 30 to 42 m.
See the Lost Reef dive site page
Nepean Bay		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.287′ S   (38.30479° S / 38° 18′ 17.24″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.680′ E   (144.661325° E / 144° 39′ 40.77″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-29 00:47:44 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Empress of the Sea, 450 m, bearing 347°, NNW
Depth: 1 to 12 m.
See the Nepean Bay dive site page
Norman Bay, South		Shore access
Latitude: 39° 2.788′ S   (39.046467° S / 39° 2′ 47.28″ S) Longitude: 146° 19.251′ E   (146.320858° E / 146° 19′ 15.09″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-14 01:36:50 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-28 04:41:03 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Norman Point, South, 744 m, bearing 168°, SSE
Depth: 18 m.
See the Norman Bay, South dive site page
Norman Point, South		Shore access
Latitude: 39° 3.182′ S   (39.053032° S / 39° 3′ 10.92″ S) Longitude: 146° 19.351′ E   (146.322514° E / 146° 19′ 21.05″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-14 06:33:44 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-14 06:48:00 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Norman Bay, South, 744 m, bearing 348°, NNW
Depth: 15 m.
See the Norman Point, South dive site page
Phillip Island Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 34.263′ S   (38.571051° S / 38° 34′ 15.78″ S) Longitude: 145° 21.584′ E   (145.359732° E / 145° 21′ 35.04″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-02-20 12:38:40 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-06 18:18:09 GMT Source: John Lawler GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Gull Island, 1,233 m, bearing 1°, N
Depth: 6 to 20 m.
See the Phillip Island Cray Reef dive site page
Picnic Bay, South		Shore access
Latitude: 39° 1.138′ S   (39.018967° S / 39° 1′ 8.28″ S) Longitude: 146° 17.337′ E   (146.28895° E / 146° 17′ 20.22″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-14 01:03:55 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-14 01:38:38 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Pillar Point, South, 2,700 m, bearing 143°, SE
Depth: 6 m.
See the Picnic Bay, South dive site page
Pillar Point, South		Shore access
Latitude: 39° 2.310′ S   (39.038493° S / 39° 2′ 18.57″ S) Longitude: 146° 18.452′ E   (146.307528° E / 146° 18′ 27.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-14 01:26:11 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-14 06:39:44 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Norman Bay, South, 1,453 m, bearing 127°, SE
Depth: 10 m.
See the Pillar Point, South dive site page
Point Franklin Reef		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 19.104′ S   (38.318393° S / 38° 19′ 6.21″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.166′ E   (144.719436° E / 144° 43′ 9.97″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-30 06:51:27 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Pier East Reef, 252 m, bearing 302°, WNW
Depth: 1 to 15 m.
See the Point Franklin Reef dive site page
Point Lonsdale Kelp Forest		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.578′ S   (38.292968° S / 38° 17′ 34.68″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.973′ E   (144.616213° E / 144° 36′ 58.37″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 02:34:33 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Point Lonsdale Jetty, 148 m, bearing 358°, N
Depth: 3 to 5 m.
See the Point Lonsdale Kelp Forest dive site page
Popes Eye		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.598′ S   (38.276633° S / 38° 16′ 35.88″ S) Longitude: 144° 41.922′ E   (144.6987° E / 144° 41′ 55.32″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-31 03:10:26 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Popes Eye Anchor Farm, 88 m, bearing 351°, N
Depth: 2 to 14 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood. Mean water temp - summer: 18.2°C. Mean water temp - winter: 12.5°C.
See the Popes Eye dive site page
Popes Eye Anchor Farm		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.551′ S   (38.275849° S / 38° 16′ 33.06″ S) Longitude: 144° 41.913′ E   (144.698548° E / 144° 41′ 54.77″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-02-13 03:36:01 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-31 03:11:15 GMT Source: Calculated from anchor marks provided by Graham Ellis.
Nearest Neighbour: Popes Eye, 88 m, bearing 171°, S
Depth: 9 to 11 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE. Mean water temp - summer: 18.2°C. Mean water temp - winter: 12.5°C.
See the Popes Eye Anchor Farm dive site page
Portsea Back Beach Wall		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 20.787′ S   (38.34645° S / 38° 20′ 47.22″ S) Longitude: 144° 41.595′ E   (144.69325° E / 144° 41′ 35.7″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-10 02:08:49 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Toms Reef, 312 m, bearing 134°, SE
Depth: 12 to 18 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the Portsea Back Beach Wall dive site page
Portsea Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 19.039′ S   (38.317317° S / 38° 19′ 2.34″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.890′ E   (144.714833° E / 144° 42′ 53.4″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-15 07:41:54 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Pier, 178 m, bearing 225°, SW
Depth: 5 to 12 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Portsea Cray Reef dive site page
Portsea Pier East Reef		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 19.030′ S   (38.317167° S / 38° 19′ 1.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.020′ E   (144.717° E / 144° 43′ 1.2″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-05 05:53:34 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Cray Reef, 190 m, bearing 264°, W
Depth: 11 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Portsea Pier East Reef dive site page
Portsea Pier West Reef		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 19.083′ S   (38.318044° S / 38° 19′ 4.96″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.674′ E   (144.711236° E / 144° 42′ 40.45″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 05:38:39 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Pier, 193 m, bearing 103°, ESE
Depth: 3 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Portsea Pier West Reef dive site page
Ramsden Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.603′ S   (38.293386° S / 38° 17′ 36.19″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.474′ E   (144.67456° E / 144° 40′ 28.42″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-24 19:24:16 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 01:23:32 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Eliza Ramsden, 75 m, bearing 228°, SW
Depth: 20 to 30 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Ramsden Reef dive site page
Refuge Cove, North Wall		Boat access
Latitude: 39° 2.195′ S   (39.03658° S / 39° 2′ 11.69″ S) Longitude: 146° 28.165′ E   (146.469422° E / 146° 28′ 9.92″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-13 20:34:13 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-13 21:03:29 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Refuge Cove, South, 673 m, bearing 229°, SW
Depth: 14 m.
See the Refuge Cove, North Wall dive site page
Refuge Cove, South		Boat access
Latitude: 39° 2.430′ S   (39.040508° S / 39° 2′ 25.83″ S) Longitude: 146° 27.810′ E   (146.4635° E / 146° 27′ 48.6″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-13 20:53:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-13 21:03:29 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Refuge Cove, North Wall, 673 m, bearing 49°, NE
Depth: 9 m.
See the Refuge Cove, South dive site page
Rosebud Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 20.740′ S   (38.345667° S / 38° 20′ 44.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 53.330′ E   (144.888833° E / 144° 53′ 19.8″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-28 05:21:17 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Hurricane, 1,572 m, bearing 289°, WNW
Depth: 4 to 10 m.
See the Rosebud Reef dive site page
Sanctum Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.397′ S   (38.28995° S / 38° 17′ 23.82″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.429′ E   (144.640483° E / 144° 38′ 25.74″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 01:35:40 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: The Cathedral, 211 m, bearing 100°, E
Depth: 24 to 60 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Sanctum Reef dive site page
Seaholme Reef, Altona		Shore access
Latitude: 37° 52.090′ S   (37.868162° S / 37° 52′ 5.38″ S) Longitude: 144° 50.728′ E   (144.845464° E / 144° 50′ 43.67″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-30 15:10:01 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Altona Pier, 1,447 m, bearing 247°, WSW
Depth: 2 to 5 m.
See the Seaholme Reef, Altona dive site page
Sealers Cove		Boat access
Latitude: 39° 1.049′ S   (39.017475° S / 39° 1′ 2.91″ S) Longitude: 146° 26.714′ E   (146.445237° E / 146° 26′ 42.85″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-13 20:17:21 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-13 21:03:29 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Refuge Cove, North Wall, 2,980 m, bearing 135°, SE
Depth: 15 m.
See the Sealers Cove dive site page
Sorrento Back Beach		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 20.757′ S   (38.345956° S / 38° 20′ 45.44″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.619′ E   (144.726981° E / 144° 43′ 37.13″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-27 03:27:09 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: St Pauls Rock, 946 m, bearing 138°, SE
Depth: 6 to 20 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the Sorrento Back Beach dive site page
South Channel Fort		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.407′ S   (38.306783° S / 38° 18′ 24.42″ S) Longitude: 144° 48.022′ E   (144.800367° E / 144° 48′ 1.32″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-20 05:59:47 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Rye Scallop Beds, 4,484 m, bearing 186°, S
Depth: 1 to 12 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the South Channel Fort dive site page
South Road Reefs and Bommie		Shore access
Latitude: 37° 55.722′ S   (37.928703° S / 37° 55′ 43.33″ S) Longitude: 144° 59.349′ E   (144.989143° E / 144° 59′ 20.91″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 05:48:57 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Francis Henty, 1,522 m, bearing 169°, S
Depth: 2 to 6 m.
See the South Road Reefs and Bommie dive site page
Spec Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.294′ S   (38.288233° S / 38° 17′ 17.64″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.946′ E   (144.665767° E / 144° 39′ 56.76″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-20 07:39:24 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: North Wall, 245 m, bearing 251°, WSW
Depth: 22 to 60 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Spec Reef dive site page
Sub Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.001′ S   (38.300017° S / 38° 18′ 0.06″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.122′ E   (144.5687° E / 144° 34′ 7.32″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:25:04 GMT Source: Peter Fear GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: J4 26m Submarine, 440 m, bearing 275°, W
Depth: 20 to 25 m.
See the Sub Reef dive site page
Tedesco Reef Seaford		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 5.245′ S   (38.087417° S / 38° 5′ 14.7″ S) Longitude: 145° 5.753′ E   (145.095883° E / 145° 5′ 45.18″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-05 07:35:21 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Restless, 2,618 m, bearing 50°, NE
Artificial reef installed to improve recreational fishing. Depth: 11 m.
See the Tedesco Reef Seaford dive site page
The Abyss		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.583′ S   (38.29305° S / 38° 17′ 34.98″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.626′ E   (144.643767° E / 144° 38′ 37.56″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-16 00:56:29 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Devils Drop Off, 58 m, bearing 127°, SE
Depth: 15 to 40 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Abyss dive site page
The Cathedral		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.417′ S   (38.290283° S / 38° 17′ 25.02″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.572′ E   (144.642867° E / 144° 38′ 34.32″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:34:24 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Sanctum Reef, 211 m, bearing 280°, W
Depth: 22 to 60 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Cathedral dive site page
The Grotto		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.107′ S   (38.285117° S / 38° 17′ 6.42″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.357′ E   (144.639283° E / 144° 38′ 21.42″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:37:41 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: 12lb Reef, 36 m, bearing 316°, NW
Depth: 12 to 18 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Grotto dive site page
The Ledges		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.346′ S   (38.2891° S / 38° 17′ 20.76″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.378′ E   (144.572967° E / 144° 34′ 22.68″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-12 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:39:45 GMT Source: Alan Beckhurst GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: 18 Metre Reef, 86 m, bearing 313°, NW
Depth: 12 to 16 m.
See the The Ledges dive site page
The Marbles		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.871′ S   (38.281183° S / 38° 16′ 52.26″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.133′ E   (144.652217° E / 144° 39′ 7.98″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:43:41 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Shortland Bluff Bommie, 284 m, bearing 93°, E
Depth: 18 to 22 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Marbles dive site page
The Nice Spot		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.722′ S   (38.295367° S / 38° 17′ 43.32″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.076′ E   (144.601267° E / 144° 36′ 4.56″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:45:44 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Castle Rock, 435 m, bearing 225°, SW
Depth: 18 to 20 m. Dive only on: SWE.
See the The Nice Spot dive site page
The Pinnacles		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 34.363′ S   (38.572717° S / 38° 34′ 21.78″ S) Longitude: 145° 20.226′ E   (145.3371° E / 145° 20′ 13.56″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-04 00:50:22 GMT Source: Peter Beaumont GPS (verified).
Nearest Neighbour: Phillip Island Cray Reef, 1,976 m, bearing 84°, E
Depth: 9 to 38 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb, Flood.
See the The Pinnacles dive site page
The Plateau		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.621′ S   (38.293683° S / 38° 17′ 37.26″ S) Longitude: 144° 37.976′ E   (144.632933° E / 144° 37′ 58.56″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:50:48 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: 65 Metre Hole, 310 m, bearing 13°, NNE
Depth: 20 to 45 m. Dive only on: SWE.
See the The Plateau dive site page
The Steps		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.013′ S   (38.28355° S / 38° 17′ 0.78″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.207′ E   (144.65345° E / 144° 39′ 12.42″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:54:04 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: The Marbles, 284 m, bearing 337°, NNW
Depth: 17 to 40 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Steps dive site page
The Supermarket		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.322′ S   (38.2887° S / 38° 17′ 19.32″ S) Longitude: 144° 34.634′ E   (144.577233° E / 144° 34′ 38.04″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:55:48 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: The Ledges, 375 m, bearing 263°, W
Depth: 6 to 18 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Ebb.
See the The Supermarket dive site page
The Swim Through		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.406′ S   (38.2901° S / 38° 17′ 24.36″ S) Longitude: 144° 37.985′ E   (144.633083° E / 144° 37′ 59.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2018-01-17 21:48:53 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 02:57:46 GMT Source: Peter Fear GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Spot G, 12 m, bearing 287°, WNW
Depth: 20 to 30 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the The Swim Through dive site page
Tin Mine Cove		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 48.235′ S   (38.803917° S / 38° 48′ 14.1″ S) Longitude: 146° 25.215′ E   (146.42025° E / 146° 25′ 12.9″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2019-03-13 07:50:21 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-13 20:59:11 GMT Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Tomatin, 6,060 m, bearing 85°, E
Depth: 15 m.
See the Tin Mine Cove dive site page
Toms Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 20.905′ S   (38.348417° S / 38° 20′ 54.3″ S) Longitude: 144° 41.748′ E   (144.6958° E / 144° 41′ 44.88″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 03:00:35 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Back Beach Wall, 312 m, bearing 314°, NW
Depth: 23 m.
See the Toms Reef dive site page
Torpedo Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.627′ S   (38.277117° S / 38° 16′ 37.62″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.857′ E   (144.664283° E / 144° 39′ 51.42″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 03:02:36 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Sponge Garden Drift, 286 m, bearing 35°, NE
Depth: 5 to 18 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Torpedo Reef dive site page
Torquay Offshore Artificial Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 20.184′ S   (38.3364° S / 38° 20′ 11.04″ S) Longitude: 144° 22.320′ E   (144.372° E / 144° 22′ 19.2″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-25 06:08:02 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Milora, 2,294 m, bearing 137°, SE
25 purpose-built, concrete, artificial reef modules, 3 kilometres offshore, between Breamlea and Torquay. Depth: 25 m.
See the Torquay Offshore Artificial Reef dive site page
Tyre Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 3.077′ S   (38.051283° S / 38° 3′ 4.62″ S) Longitude: 145° 4.722′ E   (145.0787° E / 145° 4′ 43.32″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 03:21:45 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Aspendale Rec Reef, 1,692 m, bearing 354°, N
See the Tyre Reef dive site page
Victory Cray Reef		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.948′ S   (38.282467° S / 38° 16′ 56.88″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.134′ E   (144.635567° E / 144° 38′ 8.04″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-12 02:40:49 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Boarfish Reef, 388 m, bearing 141°, SE
See the Victory Cray Reef dive site page
Wild Side		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.916′ S   (38.2986° S / 38° 17′ 54.96″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.305′ E   (144.638417° E / 144° 38′ 18.3″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-16 03:50:50 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Trimix Corner, 205 m, bearing 161°, SSE
Depth: 10 to 60 m. Dive only on: SWE.
See the Wild Side dive site page
Yakka Reef Frankston		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 8.483′ S   (38.141383° S / 38° 8′ 28.98″ S) Longitude: 145° 5.479′ E   (145.091317° E / 145° 5′ 28.74″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-02 08:43:32 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Isis, 899 m, bearing 34°, NE
Artificial reef installed to improve recreational fishing. Depth: 11 m.
See the Yakka Reef Frankston dive site page

Total of 73 dive sites.

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DISCLAIMER: No claim is made by The Scuba Doctor as to the accuracy of the dive site coordinates listed here. Should anyone decide to use these GPS marks to locate and dive on a site, they do so entirely at their own risk. Always verify against other sources.

The marks come from numerous sources including commercial operators, independent dive clubs, reference works, and active divers. Some are known to be accurate, while others may not be. Some GPS marks may even have come from maps using the AGD66 datum, and thus may need be converted to the WGS84 datum. To distinguish between the possible accuracy of the dive site marks, we've tried to give each mark a source of GPS, Google Earth, or unknown.

If you don't understand the differences between the different ways coordinates are given, plus how different datum come into play, you might find the article GPS Conversions by Lloyd Borrett a useful read. It describes the problems associated with locating dive sites using a GPS receiver.

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Scuba Doctor Dive Map KML File

In the true spirit of making it easy to obtain, utilise and share the information for non-commercial purposes, you can now Download/view the Scuba Doctor Dive Map GPS Marks (KML file | 250.79 KB | 16-Jun-2019) in the Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

Some marine GPS units can import the information from a KML file. For others you can use use a file translate program (e.g. GPSBabel) to convert the KML file into an import file format (e.g. GPX) supported by your GPS unit.

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Please Help Us To Correct GPS Marks and Add More Melbourne Dive Sites

If you have have information about other dive sites you'd be happy to see added to the information available here, or any corrections and/or updates to the diving site GPS marks listed here, please feel free to Contact Us. See also, Dive Site Help.

Safety Tip: We recommend you read our Boat Diving Safety and Using a Dive Float and Flag pages and use the described Cray/Drift Buoy Line Diver Freedom System when reef diving from a private boat.

70% of earth is covered by water. Non diver? I hope you enjoy your 30%.
— Old diver's proverb