WILSONS PROMONTORY
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| Type of dive: |
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Reef |
| Snorkelling: |
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Yes, hundreds of sites! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water (Advanced recommended) |
| Access: |
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Shore or boat (30-90 minutes) |
| Depth: |
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3 – 40+ metres (10-130+’) |
| Visibility: |
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15 – 40 metres (50-130’) |
| Water temperature: |
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13 – 19°C (55-66°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime |
If ever the term ‘pristine’ could be used to describe a place, then it’s the word for Wilsons Promontory.
The ‘Prom’, as it’s known by Victorians, has around 130 kilometres (80 mi) of coastline and most of it is unexplored underwater!
It is the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland consisting of secluded bays with pure white sandy beaches, inlets and offshore islands, all bathed in mostly cool clear nutrient-rich Southern Ocean water.
Because of its tranquillity character, it is the holiday destination of choice by many Melburnians. Some families have been going to the Prom for generations; enjoying its beaches, surf and bush walks.
The Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park was established in 2003, and underwater is a divers’ paradise offering a multitude of unspoilt dive sites, particularly around its many offshore islands.
The Prom is mainly granite and its points and islands plunge deeply into mostly clear water meeting pure white sand on the bottom.
It is easy to get distracted underwater by the sheer awe of the Prom’s spectacular submerged cliffs, swim throughs, boulders and caves and miss the subtlety Wilsons Promontory diving has to offer.
Below the kelp line, submerged granite rock is covered in incredibly colourful invertebrate life, such as delicate soft corals, yellow zoanthids, sponges hosting brittle stars and a huge variety sea star, and ledges often offer protection for huge bull crayfish (southern rock lobster).
Elusive weedy sea dragons, hidden amongst the weed, are there to be discovered by a keen eye too.
In deeper water, granite boulders are surrounded by huge schools of barber perch and are covered in delicate sea whips and soft corals waving gently in the current.
Decorated Wall, a sheer vertical wall covered in a huge array of brightly coloured invertebrates, is regarded by many as the Prom’s premier dive site. It is located on North-East Dannevig Island. There is a large spectacular triangular cave with a white sandy floor to be found nearby.
North-East Dannevig Island is relatively close to Norman Bay and can be accessed using small boats launched across the sand at Norman Bay.
Divers can also encounter the playful antics of Kanowna Island’s Australian fur seals, and there are a number of shipwrecks such as the Cheviot, Lady Mildred and the much deeper SS Gulf of Carpentaria.
The Prom water can get very deep and is subject to strong currents, so extreme care and proper planning is essential.
Although the unpredictable weather makes dive planning difficult, the Prom is worth every effort.
Special thanks to my long-time dive buddy, Peter Mosse.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Great Wilsons Prom dive sites:
Decorated Wall, Great Glennie Island, Kanowna Island Seals, Skull Rock, 40 Foot Rock and Refuge Cove.
Local dive services:
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Some Melbourne dive stores and dive clubs may offer Wilsons Promontory trips during the summer months. |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Victoria
Nearest City:
Melbourne
Nearest Regional City:
Leongatha
Nearest Town:
Yanakie
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Melbourne
Road:
Melbourne to Tidal River:
3 hours (225 km/140 mi) via M 1, South Gippsland Hwy/A440 and C444
Bus:
From Melbourne
Train:
Not available
Ferry:
Not available
THINGS TO DO
Great beaches like Squeaky Beach
Camping
Short Walks
Overnight Hikes
Mont Oberon Lookout
Surfing
Boat Tours