North Point, Lawrence Rocks

Meet the site

North Point is the northern tip of Lawrence Rocks, where a boulder ridge extends from the end of the rock and descends to a sand ledge at 10–12 m along its south-east edge. Because it lies in the lee of the rocks it is the sheltered, shallow dive of the group, diveable on many days when the southern walls are unworkable, and it is where most Portland divers begin at the rocks. The Scuba Doctor records that sponges are a feature here and that the boulder crevices provide excellent habitat for molluscs and crustaceans – crayfish, abalone, turban shells and the smaller life that goes with them – and the boulder field in clear, cold water is colourful with encrusting sponges, ascidians and bryozoans in the shade and kelp on the tops. The fish life is the western Victorian reef community with the extra size and numbers that an offshore rock provides: blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, sea sweep in schools, herring cale, zebrafish, leatherjackets, boarfish under the ledges, and rays on the sand ledge. Australian fur seals from the haul-out on the rocks come through constantly, and on a calm day gannets from the colony above dive through the surface within sight.

It is an Open Water dive in depth and difficulty, a simple ridge to follow out and back with an anchor on sand, and a 45-minute dive is comfortable. It combines naturally with The Saddle 226 m to the south-east, where the wash through the gap between the two rocks creates the visual effects and fish concentrations the site is known for, and with the Emily S wreck and The Nursery caves a few hundred metres to the east, so that a boat at Lawrence Rocks on a moderate day can put together two or three different dives without moving far. No dive charter operates from Portland; trips are by private boat or by arrangement with fishing charters, and Portland SCUBA in town is the source of air and local advice. Victorian bag limits apply for anyone taking crayfish or abalone.

What you might see

Sponges (a feature), southern rock lobster, black-lip abalone, molluscs and crustaceans in the boulder crevices, blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, sea sweep, herring cale, zebrafish, leatherjackets, longsnout boarfish, rays, Australian fur seals, Australasian gannets

Location

Boulder ridge running from the northern end of Lawrence Rocks down to a sand ledge at 10–12 m, in the lee of the rocks, 2 km south-east of Point Danger.

Facilities nearby

Portland Harbour ramps with trailer parking, toilets and showers at the Lee Breakwater; Portland SCUBA for air, gear and courses; Portland town facilities, fuel and accommodation.