Dive-site story
Pope's Eye is an unfinished semicircular bluestone fort foundation laid down in the 1880s near the entrance of Port Phillip Bay. Today, the submerged and emergent stone blocks form a protected artificial reef densely populated by temperate marine species. The shallow interior offers calm conditions sheltered from heavy swell, while the outer perimeter drops onto sandy channels swept by Port Phillip tidal currents.
Protected bluestone horseshoe reef structure covered in kelp, sponges, and colonial ascidians
Frequent visits from Australian fur seals and a prominent above-water Australasian gannet breeding colony
Dense aggregations of temperate reef fish sheltering in the basalt crevices
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer and autumn bring the warmest water and most settled weather across southern Victoria.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Fur SealArctocephalus pusillus doriferus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Blue-throated WrasseNotolabrus tetricus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Old WifeEnoplosus armatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Southern Blue DevilParaplesiops bleekeri | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Magpie PerchCheilodactylus nigripes | Common |
Marine forecast
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