Point Addis is the sandstone-and-limestone headland midway between Bells Beach and Anglesea that gives its name to the 4,420 hectare Point Addis Marine National Park, the largest marine protected area on the Surf Coast. The park runs from Jan Juc almost to Anglesea and from the high-water mark out into deep water, taking in shallow kelp forests on eroded calcarenite reef, deep-water sponge gardens, rhodolith beds (unusual colourful, unattached nodules of coralline red algae) and rocky reef interspersed with sand. The headland itself is the shore-diving focus.

The Scuba Doctor describes submerged limestone reefs with gutters running through them and a dive that follows those gutters out toward the tip of the point in 8-10 m, and Parks Victoria names Jarosite Reef, reached from Southside or Addiscot beaches, as a lively snorkel that is dangerous when the sea is rough. The gutters are the attraction: parallel channels in the soft rock roofed and walled with sponges, ascidians, bryozoans and jewel anemones, floored with sand and shell, and canopied by crayweed and bull kelp on the ridges between. Weedy seadragons live along the weed lines, blue devils and southern rock lobster in the deeper holes, and the fish include blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, leatherjackets, scalyfin, zebrafish, old wives, sweep, boarfish and Port Jackson sharks, with rays on the sand, fur seals passing and dolphins common; from May to September southern right, blue and killer whales move along the coast outside.

Access is the first test. The southern beach is a narrow 80 m strip at the foot of cliffs reached by a steep track, and the northern entry near Pixie Cave is easier but still a walk with gear. The sea is the second.

A strong rip feeder current runs out past the headland, squalls come quickly and the site is for experienced ocean divers on flat days; the rest of the time the lookouts on the headland, with their view of the whole Surf Coast, are consolation. The Bells Beach, Ingoldsby Reef and Anglesea sites complete the park.

From Torquay take the Great Ocean Road south-west for 12 km and turn left onto Point Addis Road, following it 3 km to the headland; there is roadside parking and a large car park at the end, with a toilet block partway along (free). Southern side: from the car park a steep track drops to a narrow 80 m sand beach at the foot of the cliffs, a strenuous carry of 200-300 m that needs real fitness, or take the Surf Coast Walk west from the car park. Northern side: a track opposite the toilet block on Point Addis Road leads to an easier entry near Pixie Cave, or further along to Addiscot Beach.

Exit at the same point. Ingoldsby Reef, the park's main boat dive, lies offshore to the west.

Conditions must be flat and calm with very little swell and no wind or a northerly; weather at Point Addis varies considerably with very strong winds and squalls, and when it is wrong The Scuba Doctor describes an extremely hazardous area with deep water, rocks and reefs and a strong rip feeder current running out past the headland. Parks Victoria adds warnings about strong currents and undertows and unexpected waves on the platforms. Autumn and early winter give the most usable days; visibility 5-15 m when clean.

Southern right and blue whales pass offshore May to September. Experienced divers and snorkellers only.

Enter on the northern side near Pixie Cave on a flat day, swim out over the shallow reef at 2-4 m and follow the limestone gutters seaward and around toward the tip of the point at 6-10 m, exploring the kelp-covered reef and the sponge-lined gutters, turn at half gas well before the tip where the rip feeder runs, and return along the same gutters to the entry.

No regular commercial operator – dived independently by experienced Geelong and Surf Coast divers and clubs on the rare flat days; Bay City Scuba (Geelong) is the nearest shop. Snorkel tours operate under Parks Victoria licence in summer.