Dive sites off Warrnambool on Victoria's south-west Shipwreck Coast sit in around 15 m of water, including reef around the harbour breakwater and several wreck sites further offshore. The harbour itself is partly sheltered by Lady Bay so it can offer diveable conditions when the open coast either side is shut down. Reef holds crayfish, abalone, weedy seadragons, blue devils, kelp gardens and sponge cover, with the wrecks pulling extra fish life in. Boat access from the Warrnambool harbour ramp. Best in light north-east winds, swell under a metre and tide near slack. Use the live 7-day wind and swell forecast on this page to plan. Intermediate to advanced — friendlier than the surrounding Shipwreck Coast on the inshore sites, but still Bass Strait water and conditions deteriorate fast if the wind picks up south or the swell builds. Always check conditions on the morning of the dive.
How far you can see underwater — measured in metres. 10m+ is great, 5–10m is workable, under 3m is murk. Driven by wind, swell, and recent rain.
Long-period waves rolling in from the open ocean. Direction matters more than height — a S swell hits Portsea hard, but an E swell rolls past. Period over 12 s = real ocean punch.
Offshore (N or NE) flattens the surface and clears the water. Onshore (SE through SW) chops it up and stirs sand. Calm or light offshore is the magic combo.
This site faces the open ocean. The exposure caption above shows which directions slam in. Anything from the opposite side gets blocked — that's the safest window.
Slack water — the 30 minutes either side of high or low — is calmest and clearest. Mid-tide brings the most flow. Plan to be down at slack, up before the run picks up.
Bass Strait sits 14–16 °C autumn–winter, 17–19 °C summer. Below 16° a 7 mm hooded keeps you warm for 60 min+. Drysuit if you're going long.