Meet the site
Leopard Seal Reef lies on the southern, exposed side of Lady Julia Percy Island between Thunder Point and the island's south-western cliffs. From the boat it shows as a visible triangular reef coming out from the cliff, with an above-water cave immediately to the north, and the position was recorded by Peter Ronald, the Warrnambool diver and maritime archaeologist responsible for many of the west coast's verified wreck and reef marks. The site's most distinctive feature, in the Scuba Doctor's words, is a set of giant underwater rock pools in 10–14 m, complete with oversize pebbles to suit: basins scoured into the basalt by the swell and floored with rounded boulders the size of cars, separated by walls and ridges that continue seaward to about 20 m. It is a landscape rather than a wall, and in clear autumn water it is one of the most photogenic pieces of bottom around the island. The reef carries the island's usual heavy cold-water growth – sponges, ascidians, bryozoans – with crayfish in the crevices, schools of sweep and butterfly perch over the ridges, and the fur seals that are never far away at Deen Maar. The name records the leopard seals that haul out on the island in some winters, vagrants from the Antarctic pack ice.
Because it is on the southern side, the reef is only diveable in northerly weather when the island shelters it from wind and the south-west swell is small; in the more common southerly conditions Landing Bay on the northern side is the alternative. It is an Open Water depth dive but rated Advanced for the remoteness, the exposure and the seal and shark considerations that apply to the whole island. Landing is prohibited without a permit, the island being a Wildlife Reserve within the Deen Maar Indigenous Protected Area, and great white sharks frequent the colony. For a party already at the island, Leopard Seal Reef and the Blowhole next door are the southern-side dives to aim for.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Leopard Seal Reef, Lady Julia Percy Island is recorded as Reef in Portland & the West. 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.
- 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 Leopard Seal Reef, Lady Julia Percy Island 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 Leopard Seal Reef, Lady Julia Percy Island 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 seals, leopard seals (occasional, winter), southern rock lobster, sea sweep, butterfly perch, longsnout boarfish, blue-throat wrasse, sponges, ascidians and bryozoans on basalt, bull kelp, occasional great white sharks
Location
A triangular reef running out from the southern cliffs of Lady Julia Percy Island beside an above-water cave, with giant underwater rock pools in 10–14 m floored with boulder 'pebbles'.
Facilities nearby
Boat ramps at Port Fairy and Yambuk; nothing on the island; air in Warrnambool or Portland.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.