Meet the site
Steeles Rocks is a small rocky outcrop breaking the surface about 50 m off the Portarlington shore, a kilometre east of the pier, with a tiny boat ramp and car park beside it that allows you to park almost at the water. It is better known as a snorkelling spot than a scuba site; The Scuba Doctor lists it with a 1-5 m range, a note that the rocks are surrounded by drop-offs and boulders, a link to a snorkelling video, and little else, and this description is built from that and from the character of the neighbouring Portarlington shore. The outcrop rises from a sand and seagrass bottom in 3-5 m, and its seaward face is the interest: short drop-offs and a jumble of boulders with ledges and gaps that give shelter on an otherwise open, sandy shore. Expect the Bellarine north-coast community of zebrafish, leatherjackets, wrasse, blennies and juvenile snapper around the rock, sea stars, urchins and nudibranchs on it, octopus in the boulder gaps, fiddler rays, stingarees and flathead on the sand and seahorses and pipefish in the seagrass fringe. It is shallow, sheltered from southerlies like the whole north coast of the peninsula, and trivially easy to navigate because the rocks are visible from the surface. That makes it an ideal site for snorkellers, children and new divers, for a first night dive, and for a quick second dive after Portarlington Pier. The boat ramp is its only complication; stay to one side of it and fly a flag. Governor Reef and the Indented Head pipelines lie a few kilometres south-east for a longer day.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Steeles Rocks, Portarlington is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Geelong & Bellarine. 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.
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 Steeles Rocks, Portarlington 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 Steeles Rocks, Portarlington 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
Zebrafish, leatherjackets, wrasse, blennies, juvenile snapper, sea stars, sea urchins, nudibranchs, octopus, fiddler rays, stingarees, flathead, seahorses and pipefish in seagrass (expected)
Location
Rocks breaking the surface about 50 m offshore, surrounded by drop-offs and boulders, roughly 1 km east of Portarlington Pier beside a small boat ramp.
Facilities nearby
Small free car park and boat ramp; toilets and cafes at Portarlington 1 km west; nearest air fills Bay City Scuba
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.