North Point is the northern tip of Lawrence Rocks, where a boulder ridge extends from the end of the rock and descends to a sand ledge at 10–12 m along its south-east edge. Because it lies in the lee of the rocks it is the sheltered, shallow dive of the group, diveable on many days when the southern walls are unworkable, and it is where most Portland divers begin at the rocks. The Scuba Doctor records that sponges are a feature here and that the boulder crevices provide excellent habitat for molluscs and crustaceans – crayfish, abalone, turban shells and the smaller life that goes with them – and the boulder field in clear, cold water is colourful with encrusting sponges, ascidians and bryozoans in the shade and kelp on the tops. The fish life is the western Victorian reef community with the extra size and numbers that an offshore rock provides: blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, sea sweep in schools, herring cale, zebrafish, leatherjackets, boarfish under the ledges, and rays on the sand ledge. Australian fur seals from the haul-out on the rocks come through constantly, and on a calm day gannets from the colony above dive through the surface within sight.

It is an Open Water dive in depth and difficulty, a simple ridge to follow out and back with an anchor on sand, and a 45-minute dive is comfortable. It combines naturally with The Saddle 226 m to the south-east, where the wash through the gap between the two rocks creates the visual effects and fish concentrations the site is known for, and with the Emily S wreck and The Nursery caves a few hundred metres to the east, so that a boat at Lawrence Rocks on a moderate day can put together two or three different dives without moving far. No dive charter operates from Portland; trips are by private boat or by arrangement with fishing charters, and Portland SCUBA in town is the source of air and local advice. Victorian bag limits apply for anyone taking crayfish or abalone.

Boats launch at the Portland Harbour ramps on Lee Breakwater Road (North Ramp and South Ramp), both with trailer parking, inside the harbour breakwaters. Run south past Point Danger about 8 km (20 minutes) to the northern end of Lawrence Rocks and anchor on the sand ledge off the boulder ridge, on the sheltered side. The Saddle is 226 m to the south-south-east and the Emily S and The Nursery a few hundred metres to the east.

Keep clear of seals and nesting gannets on the rocks. Portland SCUBA supplies air.

North Point sits in the lee of Lawrence Rocks and is the most sheltered of the sites around them, workable when the south-west swell is up to about 1.5 m with winds from the south through west. It is open to the north and east, so northerly and easterly winds or swell make it uncomfortable. The Bonney Upwelling can bring cold green water in summer; autumn is clearest.

Tidal current runs along the rocks and through the gap on springs. A good default dive for Portland when the deep walls are out.

Anchor on the sand ledge in 10–12 m, descend and work up the boulder ridge toward the rock in 2–6 m, checking every crevice for crayfish, molluscs and the sponge growth, then follow the south-east edge of the ridge along the sand at 10–12 m and back. Turn at half gas, return to the anchor and ascend slowly; seals usually join in the shallows.

No dedicated dive charter operates from Portland. Portland SCUBA (PADI centre) runs courses and occasional day trips; local fishing charters take divers by arrangement; Portland dive club members use private boats. Warrnambool Diving visits occasionally.