Meet the site
Eagles Nest is the landmark of the Bunurong coast – a sandstone stack standing off the cliffs between Inverloch and Cape Paterson, famous as the site of Australia's first dinosaur fossil find in 1903 and the eastern gateway to Bunurong Marine National Park – and Parks Victoria names it, with Shack Bay, as one of the two shore access points for divers in the park. The reef is Cretaceous sandstone and mudstone rather than the granite and basalt of the Prom and Phillip Island, weathered into flat platforms, gutters and ledges that run seaward from the stack to 12–15 m, and the difference shows underwater: the rock is layered and undercut, the gutters are straight-sided, and the ledges form long shelves under which, in Parks Victoria's words, groups of Port Jackson sharks rest and southern rock lobsters shelter in the deeper areas. Kelp and mixed algae cover the platform tops; the gutter walls and ledge undersides carry sponges, ascidians and bryozoans; and the invertebrate life the park is known for – brightly coloured sea stars, feather stars, crabs, large marine snails – is everywhere. Fish include zebrafish, sweep and blue-throat wrasse in numbers, with morwong, leatherjackets, old wives and boarfish, and because the park has been no-take since 2002 the crayfish and abalone are noticeably larger and bolder than outside it. Weedy seadragons and rays are seen in the sand-edged gutters. The dive is at its best at high tide on a flat northerly morning; at other times the platforms break and the gullies are dangerous. Parks Victoria stresses that only experienced snorkellers and divers should visit and warns of strong currents, undertows and large unexpected waves. Eagles Nest is the Bunurong coast's signature dive – a marine national park reef with excellent invertebrate diversity under one of Victoria's best-known coastal landmarks – and it suits confident Open Water divers who can read a rock-platform entry.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Eagles Nest (Inverloch) is recorded as Reef in Bass Coast. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Eagles Nest (Inverloch) 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 Eagles Nest (Inverloch) 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
Port Jackson sharks, southern rock lobster, blue-throat wrasse, zebrafish, sweep, morwong, leatherjackets, old wives, boarfish, weedy seadragons, sea stars, feather stars, sponges and ascidians, abalone, kelp
Location
Prominent sandstone rock stack and reef on the Bunurong Coastal Drive between Inverloch and Cape Paterson, at the eastern boundary of Bunurong Marine National Park.
Facilities nearby
Eagles Nest car park with accessible lookout path; no toilets (nearest at Cape Paterson and Inverloch); cafes and shops in Inverloch; sites are dived by independent divers and Melbourne/Gippsland clubs (SEADS – South East Australian Dive Society, Dive La Trobe, VSAG). Nearest air fills in Melbourne's south-east or by arrangement in the Latrobe Valley.
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
parks.vic.gov.auparks.vic.gov.aumelbourneplaygrounds.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.