Parks Victoria is encouraging snorkelling and diving enthusiasts to plan ahead next time they visit a marine park and check out some of the Agency’s favourite spots.
The Agency said many of Victoria’s marine protected areas were in exposed locations where local weather and sea conditions needed to be carefully considered by people before going in the water.
“Always dive or snorkel with a buddy and stay within your skill limits,” Parks Victoria said.
“If you’re new to snorkelling and diving or want to improve your skills, we recommend contacting a licensed tour operator,” it said.
“Their expert instructors know the best local spots to see amazing marine wildlife and have all the right gear to get you in and out of the water safely.”
The Agency said there were many great places to snorkel in the State and some of the most accessible were in Port Phillip Bay including Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, Melbourne’s most accessible snorkel spot.
“Explore the walls along the shoreline and the rubble at the edge of the reef for a wide variety of fish and invertebrate life, there is also a wheelchair friendly access ramp,” it said.
Parks Victoria said snorkellers could also explore Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary; Jawbone Marine Sanctuary; the reef under the Point Lonsdale lighthouse; as well as the piers and jetties in Port Phillip Bay.
“Diving in Victorian waters, especially our marine protected areas, provide outstanding opportunities to see a wide range of marine life, much of which is unique to our part of the world,” it said
“Visitors can join licenced tour operators, visit with a dive club, or simply take your own boat or walk in from the shoreline.”
Parks Victoria said there were plenty of diving spots around Victoria with some of the best at Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park; Point Lonsdale; Point Nepean; Pope’s Eye; Portsea Hole in Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park; Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary; and Arches Marine Sanctuary, off Port Campbell.
Further information on Parks Victoria’s top snorkelling and diving spots can be accessed at this PS News link.
