Lonsdale Arch Boat Dive - Friday 14th November. 10.00am meet time for 12.35pm pickup from Portsea Pier

Certification required: Open Water 18m

Lonsdale Arches

 Reef Dive |  Boat access

Depth: 12 m (39 ft) to 18 m (59 ft)

Diving Diving Lonsdale Arches
© Ian Scholey

Discovered and named by one of the great local diving identities, Lonsdale Arches is spectacular. Approximately one kilometre from the Point Lonsdale Light and clear of the shipping channel, just outside Port Phillip Heads in the Bass Strait, Lonsdale Arches is an amazing area of Bommies and underwater rock formations.

The sandstone reef has been carved into intricate structures including arches and tunnels. The water movement feeds a rich covering of encrusting invertebrates inside the structures, while Ecklonia kelp dominates the outside. This a perfect habitat for many of southern Australia's unique critters, and a nature lovers delight.

Lonsdale Arches from Allie Beckhurst on Vimeo.

The strong current flow in this area creates a nutrient-rich environment and subsequently prolific marine growth and the associated marine life. But it's the amazing rock formations that make this dive site special. This site has a couple of amazing swim throughs that are very safe easy to enter.

The marine life you'll typically see at Lonsdale Arches includes Southern Blue Devil, Magpie Perch, Silver Sweep, and Longsnout Boarfish.

A favourite spot for catching Southern Rock Lobster (aka Crayfish), possible sightings of Giant Australian Cuttlefish, Draughtboard Shark or Port Jackson Shark sleeping under ledges, and the odd Australian Fur Seals has been known to pop down and check out what is going on here.

Dive charter boats regularly schedule dives at Lonsdale Arches, heading out from Portsea and Queenscliff. Private dive boats usually launch at the Sorrento Boat Ramp or the Queenscliff Boat Ramp.

Bass Strait Warning: Always keep an eye on sea conditions throughout any shore or boat dive in Bass Strait on Victoria's coastline. Please read the warnings on the web page diving-in-bass-strait before diving or snorkelling this site.

Crayfish Dive Site | © Ian Scholey

Divers have the opportunity to catch Southern Rock Lobster (aka Crayfish) at this dive site. Remember your catch bag, current Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence, rock lobster measure, and cray tags. Once you get back to the dive boat, or shore, make sure you clip the tail and tag your Crayfish as per Fisheries requirements. Please abide by all current fishing regulations if you intend to catch crays. See article-catching-crayfish for practical cray hunting advice from The Scuba Doctor, plus melbourne-cray-dives for a list of other crayfish dive sites near Melbourne. For tips on cooking your Crays, please see article-cooking-crayfish.