Point Linley (or Linley Point) is the low rocky point at the western end of Fishermans Beach, and the reef that runs out from it is one of the best natural shore dives on the Mornington shore. The Scuba Doctor describes it as a series of boulders and slabs in 5–10 m – deeper than most of the cliff-coast sites to the north – and the broken structure creates crevices, overhangs and gutters that hold a healthy population of small reef fish and invertebrates. Goatfish work the sand edge, seastars and sea urchins cover the rock, shrimp and small crabs fill the cracks, and seahorses and small cuttlefish have been seen among the weed on the slabs.

Old wives, magpie perch, leatherjackets and hulafish are constant, and rays and flathead lie on the sand beyond the reef. The dive is normally run as a loop around the point using the marker post as a turning reference: out along the northern side, back along the southern, keeping the reef on the left throughout. Marina Cove, a boulder-strewn shore 100 m to the south-east, and Mornington Pier a short drive away are the obvious companion dives.

Its drawback is the boat ramp: the site shares its entry with a busy launching area, parking is up on the road, and the ramp itself is slippery, so the recommended entry is over the rocks to its west. Boat and jet-ski traffic has to be respected at all times, which is why a float and flag are essential rather than optional here. Point Linley suits Open Water divers who want a proper reef rather than a pier, photographers after invertebrates in reasonable visibility, and clubs looking for a night dive with easy navigation.

It is a good example of what the eastern bay does well – modest depth, plenty of life, no current – and it is far less crowded than the pier a kilometre and a half away.

From Mornington take the Esplanade north for 1.5 km to Fishermans Beach, where a boat ramp sits at the western end of the beach below the road. There is no parking at the ramp itself; use the dirt car parks at the top of the beach or nearby streets and carry gear down, about 100 m. The safest entry is over the rocks at the western end of the ramp area rather than down the ramp, which is slippery and busy; if you must use the ramp, inspect it in daylight before a night dive.

Head out toward the marker post along the northern side of the reef and return on the southern side, crossing the boat channel with care.

The reef is best with winds from the south through east, which leave the west-facing beach calm; westerly and north-westerly winds put chop over the point and stir the sand, and the ramp entry becomes slippery and dangerous in any swell. Dive near high tide for easier entry over the rocks. There is no current.

Boat and jet-ski traffic from the ramp peaks on summer weekends and public holidays; dive early, tow a flag, and cross the channel on the bottom. Visibility is generally a little better than at Mornington Pier because the bottom is rock rather than silt.

Enter over the rocks west of the ramp, descend in 3 m and follow the northern edge of the reef out toward the marker post, keeping the reef on your left, to 8–10 m. Round the point and return along the southern side with the reef on your left again, checking the boulder crevices, and surface at the entry rocks clear of the boat channel.

No charter required; used by Frankston and Mornington dive shops and Peninsula clubs as an alternative to Mornington Pier, and by independent divers, including for night dives.