Victoria · 33 sites
Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool dive sites
The coast between Cape Otway and Port Fairy earned its name honestly: the Loch Ard, the Falls of Halladale, the Schomberg and dozens of others lie in the shallows below the limestone cliffs. Warrnambool's Breakwater, Port Fairy's Griffiths Island and the Lady Bay reefs are dived on the rare days of nil swell, and Julia Percy Island has fur seals.
- Sites
- 33
- Wrecks
- 17
- Shore
- 11
- Boat
- 11
- Beginner
- 7
- Deepest
- 30 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026Warrnambool's breakwater and Stingray Bay are shore dives that need nil swell, which spring rarely gives on the Shipwreck Coast; the calm summer and autumn days are the season. Water 12–13 °C.
Getting there
Three to four hours west of Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. Shore dives at Warrnambool and Port Fairy; local club boat dives.
When to go
Summer and autumn on days with no swell.
Water & suit
Summer 16-19 °C · winter 11-14 °C. 7mm semi-dry with hood and gloves in summer; drysuit strongly preferred May–November
Nearest chamber: The Alfred (Melbourne)
Most recorded marine life in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool
- Sea sweep 25
- Blue-throat wrasse 22
- Southern rock lobster 20
- Kelp 19
- Zebrafish 19
- Leatherjackets 18
- Black-lip abalone 17
- Magpie perch 14
- Port jackson sharks 9
- Herring cale 8
- Longsnout boarfish 7
- Australian fur seals 6
- Flathead 6
- Sea stars 5
Plan a dive trip to Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Middle Island, WarrnamboolIsland · Max 15 m · Open Water
- Warrnambool Breakwater InsideShore/Rock Platform · Max 9 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool for, including La Bella.
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool.
- Port Fairy Lighthouse Reefs (Griffiths Island)Reef · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- FijiWreck · Max 7 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool
All Victoria operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Warrnambool Diving
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Warrnambool · Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool · VIC
Trades as Warrnambool Diving & Firearms.
divingandfirearms.com.au · (03) 5562 1685
41 sites
Daktari Sport (Daktari Surf & Dive)
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Port Fairy · Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool · VIC
Website live for 2026 with current PADI course prices; stores in Port Fairy, Hamilton and Mount Gambier.
daktarisport.com.au
6 sites
Port Campbell Boat Charters
Named by sitesUnconfirmed
Port Campbell · Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool · VIC
Listed at 32 Lord St Port Campbell offering scenic, fishing, snorkelling and diving trips; a listing says tours were suspended for pier maintenance and current status is unconfirmed.
portcampbellboatcharters.com.au · 0428 986 366
2 sites
Map of Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool dive sites
Click a pin for the site.
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33 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 33 Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool dive sites
All Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool sites at a glance
33 sites in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool · click a column to sort
| Antares | Wreck | Max 6 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Bay of Islands | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Bay of Martyrs | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Children | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Crofts Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Eagle Rock, Warrnambool | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Edinburgh Castle | Wreck | Max 5 m | Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Essington | Wreck | Max 11 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Falls of Halladale | Wreck | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Fiji | Wreck | Max 7 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Hopkins Reef | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| John Scott | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| La Bella | Wreck | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Loch Ard | Wreck | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Loch Ard Gorge | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Lydia | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Marie Gabrielle | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Middle Island, Warrnambool | Island | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Napier | Wreck | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Newfield | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Ocean Drive & Pea Soup, Port Fairy | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Old Aquarium (Breakwater Rock) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Pickering Point | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Port Campbell Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Port Campbell Jetty | Jetty/Pier | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Port Fairy Lighthouse Reefs (Griffiths Island) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Schomberg | Wreck | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Socrates | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Stingray Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Thistle, Port Fairy | Wreck | Max 3 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Thunder Point | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Twelve Apostles Marine National Park – Thunder Cave & outer reefs | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Warrnambool Breakwater Inside | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 9 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
Three to four hours west of Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. Shore dives at Warrnambool and Port Fairy; local club boat dives.
When is the best time to dive Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
Summer and autumn on days with no swell.
How many dive sites are there in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
33 documented sites, including 17 wrecks and 11 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 30 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
Yes, 7 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
Typically 16-19 °C in summer and 11-14 °C in winter. Most divers wear 7mm semi-dry with hood and gloves in summer; drysuit strongly preferred May–November.
Which dive centres operate in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
Warrnambool Diving, Daktari Sport (Daktari Surf & Dive), Port Campbell Boat Charters are recorded as running sites in Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Shipwreck Coast & Warrnambool?
The Alfred (Melbourne). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.