Melbourne is renowned for its diverse temperate-water diving, with accessible sites for newly certified divers as well as experienced locals. Here are five popular locations around Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula.
Important: Conditions can change quickly. Check the weather, tides and local access information before every dive, and choose a site that suits your training and experience.
1. Rye Pier
Rye Pier is one of Melbourne’s best-known shore-diving locations and can be suitable for both day and night dives. The pier and nearby habitat may reveal seahorses, octopuses, cuttlefish, smooth rays and many smaller marine species. More distant features require sound navigation skills and appropriate dive planning. Read our complete Rye Pier scuba diving guide for marine life, entry planning and local conditions.
2. Flinders Pier
Flinders Pier is famous for its weedy seadragons and seagrass habitat. Divers may also encounter smooth rays, nudibranchs, swellsharks and a variety of local fish. Tides, swell and visibility should be assessed carefully before entering the water.
3. Pope’s Eye
Pope’s Eye is part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park. The unfinished bluestone structure now supports kelp, fish and other temperate marine life. Its sheltered interior can offer shallower diving, while the outer section is more exposed and requires suitable conditions, experience and boat access.
4. Mornington Pier
Mornington Pier is known for its biodiversity and is popular for shore dives and night dives. Marine life can include smooth rays, seahorses, nudibranchs and anglerfish. Entry points and conditions can vary, so check local advice before diving.
5. Blairgowrie Pier
Blairgowrie Pier, beside the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, is a popular shore-diving and snorkelling location. Its pylons support colourful sponges and many species of nudibranch. Divers may also encounter hermit crabs, flathead, rays and stargazers.
Plan your next Melbourne dive
These sites showcase the remarkable marine biodiversity found around Melbourne. New to scuba? Start with our Open Water diving course in Melbourne.
Already certified? Join one of our guided dives to explore Melbourne with local support.
Not sure whether conditions are suitable? Check our daily dive-site forecast before choosing where to dive.