Wrecks

The Rip, the infamous strip of water that lies at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay is considered to be some of the most treacherous waters in the world. As a result many ships have met their fate here and the remains now lie at the bottom of the ocean, making the Mornington Peninsula a haven for wreck enthusiasts. Over 60 shipwrecks can be found in its waters, while some have been deliberately scuttled, all have become artificial reefs that are magnets for new marine life.

Hurricane: Boat Dive, Depth 12 metres
Snorkel & Dive (Open Water)

It’s hard to imagine that the Hurricane was once a sleek clipper renowned for its superior speed. Grazing rocks as it entered Port Phillip Bay in 1869, its parts now strewn in a sandy graveyard off Rosebud. Still visible are the main deck winch, capstan and hawsepipes at the bow, while the stern faces the shore. The iron hull has now become a valuable piece of marine real estate for sponges, seaweeds and ornately designed bryozoans. A highlight of this relaxing dive is the enormous variety of fish, old wives schooling in their hundreds. Parrotfish, rockcod, short-fin pike and snapper a bay favourite are all here, while the sandy plains disguide bottom dwellers like flathead, flounder and stingarees.

Eliza Ramsden: Boat Dive, Depth 12-21 metres
Snorkel & Dive (Open Water – Advanced)

On her first voyage out of Melbourne in 1875 the ship struck the infamous Corsair Rock at the heads. Overnight she floated back into Port Phillip Bay and sank in the South Channel where she now rests. Considered the most spectacular wreck dive in the bay, she sits upright on her keel on the sandy floor. The hull is a haven for sponges, ascidians, sea stars, which attract fish such as leather jackets and clingfish. Diving can only occur at slack water when there are no ships using the channel.

SS Coogee: Boat Dive, Depth 34 metres
Dive Intermediate – (Deep)

The Coogee was a bay steamer used in Port Phillip Bay until it was stripped and scuttled in 1927 just outside the Port Phillip Heads. The top of the wreck is in around 26 metres and the largely intact bow and stern provide wonderful opportunities for the adventurous and experience diver to swim through. The partially collapsed mid-section exposes the inner workings of this maritime treasure in the form of two boilers.

J Class Submarines: Boat Dive, Depth 26m-40 metres
Dive (Advanced & Deep)

Outside the heads in Bass Strait lie four World War 1 J Class submarines. Originally supplied by the by the British Navy these submarines were no longer needed after World War 1 and were sent to a life at the bottom of Bass Strait. They can be found in ranging depths from 26m – 40 metres.

The most accessible sub is the J4, also known as the 27m sub; it lays with its bow pointed seawards. Several large openings in the hull allow for easy penetration, while the conning tower with its schooling fish is an underwater photographers dream.