Meet the site
Point Bunbury is the low headland on which Apollo Bay's harbour and breakwater were built, and it separates the sheltered curve of Apollo Bay from the more open Mounts Bay to the south. For divers it offers two easy shore entries on opposite sides of the same car park, which makes it a useful place to dive whatever the wind is doing. On the harbour side, Borrow Beach is a small pocket of sand inside the breakwater with a few metres of water over sand and rubble, the breakwater rocks themselves and some low reef toward the harbour mouth; it is protected from the south-west and is where local kids snorkel. On the southern side, Point Bunbury Beach is a 500 m strip of sand fronted by a continuous rock platform and a series of small reefs that run out into 4–7 m, with kelp-covered ridges, sand gutters and ledges holding crays, abalone, sweep, wrasse and leatherjackets. Weedy seadragons are found in the weed on the sand edge, and rays and flathead work the sand.
Neither side is a destination dive, but together they are Apollo Bay's most reliable shore diving, a five-minute drive from the town, and they suit new divers, families and anyone wanting a shallow second dive after the Casino wreck or the Marengo reefs. The harbour is also the launching point for the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary 3 km south, so the point makes a natural base for a day in the area. The harbour itself is a working fishing port; stay clear of the boat ramp and the harbour channel, tow a flag, and note that Australian fur seals from the Marengo colony sometimes haul out on the breakwater and should be given room.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Point Bunbury, Apollo Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Surf Coast & Great Ocean Road. 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.
- 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 Point Bunbury, Apollo Bay 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 Point Bunbury, Apollo 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
Southern rock lobster, black-lip abalone, sea sweep, blue-throat wrasse, leatherjackets, weedy seadragons on the sand edge, smooth rays, flathead, kelp and bull kelp, occasional Australian fur seals near the breakwater
Location
Rock platform and small reefs around Point Bunbury, the headland immediately south of Apollo Bay harbour that separates Apollo Bay from Mounts Bay.
Facilities nearby
Car park at the end of Breakwater Road, harbour toilets, boat ramp, fishermen's co-op and cafe at the harbour, Apollo Bay shops 1.5 km; no air fills in Apollo Bay.
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.