The Nursery is the boulder field on the eastern side of Lawrence Rocks, and it is the most unusual dive at the rocks. The boulders to the east, in the Scuba Doctor's description, are full of sea caves and caverns home to a wealth of marine life; four prominent caves open at about 14 m, and one of them, known as The Cockpit, has a slot in its roof leading to a small air chamber above that can hold four divers at a time. Visit Portland lists the site at 5–25 m with boulder formations, crevices and caves, and recommends cavern or wreck certification for anyone entering them. The caverns and the shaded faces of the boulders carry the dense sponge, ascidian and bryozoan growth of the cold Portland water, crayfish are abundant in the crevices, and the caves shelter boarfish, bullseyes, blue devils and the juvenile fish that presumably gave the site its name. Seals from the haul-out on the rocks follow divers into the boulder field, and the scuttled trawler Emily S lies 234 m to the north-east, so the two are usually dived together.

It is an Advanced dive because of the overhead environment and the depth range rather than any great difficulty in navigation: the caves are short and the entrances broad, but they surge in any swell, and The Cockpit's roof chamber is a place to be careful about buoyancy, torches and taking turns. The eastern side is partly sheltered from the prevailing south-west swell and the site is diveable on more days than the southern walls, but easterly weather closes it. No dive charter operates from Portland, so the site is dived by private boats and by arrangement with fishing charters, with Portland SCUBA the source of air and local knowledge. For a diver with cavern experience it is, with the Emily S, the best reason to bring a boat to Lawrence Rocks on a moderate day.

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 eastern side of Lawrence Rocks and anchor on sand off the boulder field; the Emily S lies 234 m to the north-north-east and the two are often dived on the same day. Keep clear of seals and gannets on the rocks.

Portland SCUBA supplies air; no dive charter operates from Portland.

The eastern side of Lawrence Rocks is partly sheltered from the south-west swell but open to the east, and the caves surge in any sea. Dive on a low swell (under about 1 m) with light northerly to westerly winds; easterly weather and any large swell make the caverns dangerous and the boulder field uncomfortable. Current runs along the rocks on the tide.

The Bonney Upwelling can bring cold green water in summer; autumn is clearest. Enter the caves only when the surge at the entrances is slight.

Anchor on sand off the boulders in 15–18 m, descend and work along the base of the boulder field to the four caves at about 14 m, exploring each entrance with a torch and entering The Cockpit only with a light and a buddy, surfacing into the roof chamber one pair at a time. Continue along the crevices and deeper boulders to 20–25 m if desired, turn at a third of your gas and return to the anchor for a 3-minute stop.

Cavern penetration within the light zone – torches, buddy discipline and cavern/wreck training recommended; The Cockpit air chamber should be entered one pair at a time.

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.

Visit Portland recommends cavern or wreck certification for entering the caves.