Meet the site
Phillip Island Cray Reef is the site Scuba Doctor lists off the south-eastern tip of the island where crays are there for the catching, and it is exactly that: a reef of incredible ledges and overhangs in 6–20 m that has been a favourite of Melbourne hunter-divers for decades. The structure is a series of stepped granite and basalt ledges running roughly parallel to the shore, each undercut to form long overhangs a metre or two high, with sand gutters between them. Those undercuts are the point of the dive. Southern rock lobster sit well back in the shadows with their feelers out, and on a good day a licensed diver can take a legal bag without moving far from the anchor. The same ledges shelter draughtboard (swell) sharks, Port Jackson sharks, blue devils and conger eels, and the ceilings are coloured with sponge, zoanthids and jewel anemones, so the site is equally worthwhile for a diver who is simply exploring or photographing. The tops of the ledges carry kelp and coralline turf, with wrasse, morwong, sweep and leatherjackets above them and schools of bullseyes packed under the larger overhangs. Because the reef sits on the point, it also sees passing pelagics – salmon, trevally and, in autumn, kingfish – and fur seals from the cape. The depth range means an Open Water diver can enjoy the shallower ledges while an Advanced diver works the outer line at 18–20 m. It is a dive for settled conditions with a gentle northerly and, as with all Phillip Island boat sites, it depends on a calm bar at Newhaven. Recreational fishing rules apply: a Victorian licence, closed season for rock lobster from mid-September to mid-November, tail-clipping and bag limits, and no take of abalone or crays in any marine national park (none applies here).
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Phillip Island Cray Reef is recorded as Reef in Phillip Island & Western Port. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Phillip Island Cray Reef 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 Phillip Island Cray Reef 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, draughtboard sharks, Port Jackson sharks, blue devils, conger eels, bullseyes, wrasse, morwong, sweep, leatherjackets, sponges and zoanthids, Australian salmon, kingfish, fur seals
Location
Ledge-and-overhang reef 450 m south of Cape Woolamai Reef off the south-eastern tip of Phillip Island in Bass Strait.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Newhaven boat ramp; No air fills on Phillip Island; nearest fills on the Mornington Peninsula (Rye/Portsea) or in Melbourne's south-east
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.