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Considerations for Dive Site Selection
- Northerly Winds of 5-10 knots will make snorkelling both inside the
bay and out pleasurable.
- A Northerly wind exceeding 15 knots will usually cause the bay to
be quite rough.
- Southerly winds of up to 15-20 knots wont affect the bay too badly,
but will generate quite a large swell outside the heads.
- Tides and Tidal flows are strongest near Port Phillip Heads
while the top (Melbourne) end of the bay is less prone to strong currents.
- Surf Beaches (or the Back Beaches) are prone to rip currents where
the surface water will be turbid, foamy, discoloured and generally moving
out seaward.
- Tidal currents are extremely strong near bay openings (Flinders, Point
Nepean & Point Lonsdale) and are best dived at slack water (the
period in which there is little to no tidal activity).
- Tide times can be checked in the newspaper or with your local dive
shop.
- December - April have the warmest waters but visibility may be compromised
with plankton growth.
- April - August have the best visibility due to low plankton growth
but the water temperature also drops considerably.
- August - late October (Winter) may have challenging weather conditions
above water but good and relatively clear diving conditions below.
- Rains wash out dirt and materials that affect visibility and conditions
usually take about 2 days to return to previous levels.
If the dive site conditions cause any doubt, use your best judgement and avoid diving in areas that are suspect.
You can always come back another day.
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