Meet the site
Daveys Bay is a small, pretty cove tucked under the sandstone bluffs of Mount Eliza, home to a yacht club and a beach that most Melburnians have never heard of. The Scuba Doctor lists two dive sites here, and Pelican Point Reef is the northern one: a tumble of sandstone boulders and slabs running out from the low headland that closes the bay on its north-western side. In 3–5 m of water the rocks form a maze of small holes, crevices and mini-overhangs that shelter the usual small fish of the bay – southern hulafish, bullseyes, magpie perch, juvenile leatherjackets and moonlighters – along with decorator crabs, abalone, sea urchins and, on the sand fringe, sand flathead and fiddler rays. Kelp and mixed brown algae cover the tops of the boulders, seagrass fills the sandy gaps, and in winter and spring the shallows are visited by cuttlefish and the occasional smooth stingray. It is described by the source as a pleasant, safe snorkelling and diving site suitable for newcomers, and that is exactly its niche: an easy, shallow, sheltered spot for a first sea dive, a family snorkel or a relaxed evening critter hunt. The two reefs of Daveys Bay – Pelican Point and Beacon Reef, 300 m to the south-west – can be combined in one dive by swimming across the bay, which gives a slightly longer outing. Access is the only real effort: the track down the bluff is steep enough that a second trip for gear is worth avoiding. There are no facilities apart from the car park, and the site is far too shallow to interest divers looking for depth or drama. What it offers is a quiet corner of the eastern bay with genuine rocky habitat, clear water on the right wind, and a beach to sit on afterwards.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Pelican Point Reef, Daveys Bay is recorded as Reef in Mornington Peninsula. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Pelican Point Reef, Daveys Bay suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Pelican Point Reef, Daveys Bay 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
Magpie perch, southern hulafish, moonlighter, leatherjackets, decorator crab, blacklip abalone, sea urchins, southern fiddler ray, sand flathead, giant cuttlefish (winter), smooth stingray, kelp and seagrass
Location
Shallow rocky reef at the north-western end of Daveys Bay, Mount Eliza, below the yacht club and the end of Daveys Bay Road.
Facilities nearby
Small public car park at the end of Daveys Bay Road; no toilets or showers; cafés in Mount Eliza village 2 km away; air fills in Frankston (Aquability, Diveline).
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.