

Best for beginner divers, 4-10m, shore entry, mild current.
St Leonards Pier in Sorrento offers a shore-accessible dive featuring an artificial reef created by pier pylons and surrounding rubble. Divers can explore depths ranging from 4 to 10 metres, with an average of 3 metres. The site is suitable for beginners, though currents can be strong, making slack high tide the preferred time to dive. Marine life includes very common pot-bellied seahorses and sea stars, alongside common stingrays, wrasses, and the short-tailed ceratosoma. Less frequently, divers may encounter blue-ringed octopuses, stonefish, and various rays. Due to active boat traffic from fishing vessels and swing moorings, divers should tow a surface marker buoy at all times.
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Boat traffic around the pier is a genuine concern, so tow a surface marker buoy throughout your dive to stay visible. Early morning on a calm day gives you the best visibility and the quietest conditions.
Access is via the St Leonards Pier off The Esplanade. Divers and snorkellers typically enter from the sandy beach on the north side of the pier. Parking is available nearby in Harvey Park and along the foreshore.
No known hazards
Recorded at this site
Depth
4-10m
Visibility
5-15m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Shore
Water Temp
12-21°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
40 min
Best Time
Year-round
Divers frequently encounter pot-bellied seahorses and sea stars. Other common species include stingrays, wrasses, and the short-tailed ceratosoma, while blue-ringed octopuses, stonefish, and reef squid are occasionally recorded.
Yes, the shallow depths and shore access make it suitable for beginners, though divers must be mindful of currents and boat traffic.
The depth ranges from 4 to 10 metres, with an average depth of 3 metres.
Yes, the site is suitable for both diving and snorkelling.
Yes, the pier is used by fishing boats and there are nearby swing moorings. Divers should tow a surface marker buoy to remain visible.
Diving and snorkelling are possible year-round, from January through December.
St Leonards Pier in Melbourne is a shore dive. Access is via the St Leonards Pier off The Esplanade. Divers and snorkellers typically enter from the sandy beach on the north side of the pier. Parking is available nearby in Harvey Park and along the foreshore.
Yes, parking is available near St Leonards Pier. Arrive early during peak seasons as spaces can fill up quickly.
Diving at St Leonards Pier in Melbourne requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry is recommended for diving at St Leonards Pier in Melbourne. Water temperatures range from 12°C to 21°C.
St Leonards Pier in Melbourne typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at St Leonards Pier in Melbourne typically ranges from 5 metres to 15 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.