Meet the site
Crayfish Bay is the last cove before the Cape Otway lighthouse, tucked between Crayfish Point and Seal Point on the eastern flank of the cape. Twenty to thirty metre vegetated bluffs back two small, steep beaches with no bar, and deep water lies right against the sand before the reefs begin 50 m out. The diving is around large underwater rock slabs, the deep gutters of the rock platforms and a group of bommies at the western end off Crayfish Point, in 5–10 m. As the name says, southern rock lobster are the local speciality, along with abalone, and the site is best known to spearfishers and cray divers who watch the forecast for the rare flat days. The heavy Southern Ocean water movement feeds a thick cover of bull kelp, brown algae and encrusting invertebrates, and schools of ocean-going fish – sweep, salmon, trevally – hunt the deep edge. Australian fur seals from the small colony at Seal Point, less than 200 m to the east, frequently swim through and will investigate divers and snorkellers, which is the site's extra attraction over the other Cape Otway coves.
It is the wildest of the four coves and the one with the least margin for error: deep water off a steep beach gives a heavy dumping shore break in any swell, the platforms take sweep from both directions, and the whole cape can change from calm to dangerous within an hour. The Scuba Doctor's advice is uncompromising – always go with a buddy, be extremely careful, and weak or average swimmers should not consider diving or snorkelling here. For a strong, experienced pair on a genuinely flat summer day it offers a memorable dive with crays, seals and big fish under the lighthouse, and it pairs with Point Franklin, which shares the same access track.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Crayfish Bay, Cape Otway is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Surf Coast & Great Ocean Road. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Crayfish Bay, Cape Otway suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Crayfish Bay, Cape Otway 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
Southern rock lobster, black-lip abalone, Australian fur seals (Seal Point colony), sea sweep, Australian salmon, trevally, blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, zebrafish, leatherjackets, Port Jackson sharks, bull kelp, sponges
Location
Two small steep beaches and rock platforms immediately east of the Cape Otway lighthouse, beside Seal Point, with bommies at the western end and deep water close in.
Facilities nearby
None at the beach; toilets and cafe at the Cape Otway lightstation (paid entry, 2 km); supplies in Apollo Bay.
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.auscubadoctor.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.