BLAIRGOWRIE MARINA
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| Type of dive: |
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Jetty |
| Snorkelling: |
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Yes, beautiful colours just below the surface! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Shore, watch out for watercraft! |
| Depth: |
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Up to 7 metres (23’) |
| Visibility: |
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5 – 8 metres (15-20’) |
| Water temperature: |
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11 – 22°C (52-73°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, a great dive anytime! |
When the cold southerlies are blowing, Blairgowrie Marina offers a great dive in tranquil conditions.
The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Marina (BYS), opened in 2001, offers divers an enormous variety of temperate marine life including dozens of species of nudibranch.
The jetty structure consists of three main sections, a long section running roughly north south plus a right-angled section to the left which has a further angled extension.
The angled extension is not accessible by land, so there are no anglers to compete with!
The marina’s design means it is diveable in almost any weather conditions, however strong northerlies can create very choppy surface conditions and significantly reduced the visibility.
The main sections are built with a vertical wooden wall running from well above the surface to about two metres (6’) in depth, which offers surface protection on the lee side.
Below the surface, the wooden wall is thickly covered in brightly coloured sponges and ascidians, a spectacular feature of BYS often overlooked by scuba divers and should not be missed by snorkellers.
A torch is essential for reflecting the true colours absorbed by the sea water.
Underwater, the pylons are also covered with sponges and ascidians, and provide a home to numerous sea horses, pygmy leatherjackets, mosaic leatherjackets, angler fish, globe fish, biscuit stars, and sponge-covered doughboy scallops.
On the bottom, there are eleven-armed sea stars, blue ringed octopus (be careful, they are poisonous), anemone cones, decorator crabs, star gazers and delicate colourful nudibranchs.
In fact, BYS is famous for its nudibranchs, with over 30 recorded species including many species discovered here for the first time.
The best time for nudibranchs is either spring (October/November) or autumn (March/April) when the water goes through its seasonal temperature change. This time of the year also brings many species of gently swimming, delicate jellyfish.
The giant spider crab season occurs late every autumn, just before their winter moult, when thousands of these creatures can be seen swarming all over each other, often in piles over one metre (3’) high.
The spider crab season is an event not to be missed!
At the far western section of the pier there is a lot of leftover construction rubble where schools of luderick and trevally can be encountered.
Large black rays, banjo sharks and the occasional seal are also regularly encountered.
Blairgowrie Marina is a very relaxing scuba dive, fabulous all-year round.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Local dive services:
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EXTREME WATERSPORT |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay? |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Victoria
Nearest City:
Melbourne
Nearest Regional City:
Not relevant
Nearest Town:
Blairgowrie
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Melbourne
Road:
Melbourne to Blairgowrie:
Just under 1.5 hours (100 km/60 mi) via M 1 and Mornington Peninsula Fwy/M11
Bus:
From Melbourne
Train:
Not available
Ferry:
From Queenscliff to Sorrento
THINGS TO DO
Swim with the Dolphins & Seals
Sea Kayaking
Surfing
Wineries
Point Nepean Quarantine Station
Point Nepean National Park
Fort Nepean