Meet the site
Chinamans Hat is the seal stop of Port Phillip. The name belonged to a Second World War defence structure, Station M, an octagonal concrete platform on piles beside the South Channel that after the war became a haul-out for Australian fur seals. By 2002 the old structure was collapsing and Parks Victoria demolished it as a navigation hazard, replacing it with a purpose-built seal platform that critics at the time called a 'Taj Maul for seals'. The seals moved straight in, and the new Chinamans Hat is now the most-visited wildlife site in the bay.
Australian fur seals are the largest fur seal in Australian waters; the bulls can exceed 300 kg. They haul out here between fishing trips – the Scuba Doctor listing notes that 'the seals need to haul out of the water and have a deep sleep every few weeks after days of fishing' – and, unusually among seals, they are sociable, sparring and lying over each other on the platform and swimming in loose groups around it. In the water the younger animals are curious and will come within arm's length of a snorkeller who stays still; the rules, which are enforced, are that swimmers keep 5 m from seals and vessels 30 m from the haul-out, with no touching or feeding. Cormorants roost on the structure and dolphins pass through the channel.
Underwater the site is plain: sand and shell at 2–12 m around concrete piles that have grown a coat of mussels, sponges and kelp, with leatherjackets, wrasse and rays around the bases. It is not dived for the reef. It is snorkelled, mostly from the licensed dolphin- and seal-swim boats out of Sorrento and Queenscliff, and included as a surface-interval stop by dive charters returning from the Heads. For a diver visiting the Heads it is the easiest close encounter with fur seals in Victoria, and it is one of the few Heads sites suitable for children and non-divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Chinamans Hat is recorded as Artificial Reef in Port Phillip Heads. 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.
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 Chinamans Hat 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 Chinamans Hat 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
Australian fur seal, cormorants, common and bottlenose dolphins (passing), mussels and kelp on the piles, leatherjackets, bluethroat wrasse, smooth stingray, southern fiddler ray
Location
Octagonal seal haul-out platform marking the South Channel about 2.5 km east of Popes Eye and 3 km north of Portsea; 2.4 km south-east of the William Salthouse wreck.
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.auparks.vic.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
