Meet the site
Cape Woolamai Reef is the dive under the cape itself, where the pink granite that forms the highest point on Phillip Island continues into the water as towering columns, massive boulders and swim-throughs, in the words of the Scuba Doctor listing, which calls the terrain awesome. It is a simpler and shallower dive than The Pinnacles offshore, sitting at 12–15 m on the Cleeland Bight side of the cape, and for that reason is often the first dive of a Phillip Island boat day or the fallback when swell rules out the outer sites. The layout is a jumble of house-sized granite blocks fallen from the cliff, leaning against one another to form short tunnels, caves and overhangs, with sand and cobble channels between them. The upper faces carry kelp and coralline algae; the shaded undersides and swim-throughs are lined with encrusting sponge, zoanthids and ascidians, and the deeper ledges at the sand line hold crayfish. It is historically an abalone and cray reef, and blacklip abalone are still noticeably large here; take limits apply and a Victorian recreational fishing licence is needed to collect anything. Port Jackson sharks are the reliable resident, resting under ledges in winter and spring, and the fish life is described as pretty good: wrasse, morwong, sweep, leatherjackets, old wives and boarfish. Fur seals hauling out on the cape's southern rocks sometimes swim round to investigate. Gull Island (Bird Rock) sits 800 m north in the same sheltered bay and makes a natural second dive. Cape Woolamai Reef suits Open Water divers in calm conditions and photographers who want granite scenery without the depth of the pinnacles; it also gives a strong impression of the scale of the cape, which rises 110 m directly above the boat.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cape Woolamai Reef is recorded as Reef in Phillip Island & Western Port. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Cape Woolamai Reef suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Cape Woolamai Reef through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Blacklip abalone, southern rock lobster, Port Jackson sharks, wrasse, morwong, sweep, leatherjackets, old wives, boarfish, encrusting sponges and zoanthids, kelp, Australian fur seals occasionally
Location
Granite boulder reef directly below the cliffs of Cape Woolamai at the south-eastern tip of Phillip Island, on the Cleeland Bight (eastern) side of the cape.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Newhaven boat ramp (toilets, trailer parking); No air fills on Phillip Island; nearest fills on the Mornington Peninsula (Rye/Portsea) or in Melbourne's south-east
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
scubadoctor.com.auscubadoctor.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.