Meet the site
The southern side of Rabbit Island is, in Scuba Doctor's words, a boat dive site for adventurous divers, a weedy, rocky bottom in 2–10 m with shallow reef species such as wrasse, dusky morwong and old wives. It is the companion to the northern site and the one to use when a northerly wind makes the north face choppy and the south face the lee. The reef is a fringe of granite boulders and low rock along the island's southern shore, thickly covered in kelp and mixed brown algae, breaking up into sand and seagrass a short way out. Under the weed the rock has crevices with abalone, crabs and small crayfish, sponges and ascidians on the shaded faces, and the shallow-reef fish – wrasse, dusky morwong, old wives, leatherjackets, zebrafish, sweep and magpie perch – with stingarees and flathead on the sand and the occasional Port Jackson shark under a ledge. Because the southern shore faces Bass Strait it takes surge in the shallows even on fair days, and the offshore area is current-affected with relatively poor visibility at times as Corner Inlet's ebb pushes turbid water around the island; the best conditions are a calm northerly day on the last of the flood at slack. It is not a site anyone would cross Bass Strait for, but for a boat out of Port Welshpool on a day when the outer Prom is too rough it gives a sheltered, shallow reef dive with plenty of fish, and with the northern face 700 m away it offers a two-dive day around one small island close to the ramp. Within the Wilsons Promontory Marine Park; check current zoning.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Rabbit Island, South is recorded as Island in Wilsons Promontory. 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.
- 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 Rabbit Island, South 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 Rabbit Island, South 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
Wrasse, dusky morwong, old wives, leatherjackets, zebrafish, sweep, magpie perch, abalone, small southern rock lobster, stingarees, flathead, Port Jackson sharks, kelp
Location
Southern side of Rabbit Island, 1.6 km off the north-eastern coast of Wilsons Promontory, 700 m south-south-west of the northern site.
Facilities nearby
Port Welshpool: sealed boat ramp, jetty, toilets, caravan park, general store and fuel; No air fills at Tidal River or Port Welshpool; the nearest compressor is roughly 100 km away (Melbourne's south-east or Inverloch/Leongatha area by arrangement) – bring all cylinders or a portable compressor
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.