Meet the site
Stony Point is the southern terminus of the Frankston railway and the mainland port for the French Island and Phillip Island ferries, a working pier at the end of Stony Point Road at Crib Point, in the shadow of HMAS Cerberus and the Crib Point fuel jetty. The Scuba Doctor lists it as a 5–9 m pier dive for Advanced divers, the rating reflecting not depth but tide: the pier stands on the edge of Western Port's main western channel, and the currents around the point and through the pylons are strong enough that the site is diveable only at slack water, preferably at the end of the flood when the incoming Bass Strait water is at its cleanest. Within that window the pier offers a deeper and more current-swept version of the Western Port pier habitat – pylons with hydroids, sponges and mussels, a bottom of sand, shell and seagrass, and fish that ride the tide: squid hanging in the shadow of the deck, King George whiting, Australian salmon, silver trevally, yellow-eye mullet, flathead and snapper, with rays and the occasional draughtboard shark on the bottom. Only the public right-hand side of the pier is available; the left side is set aside for anglers and the ferry berth is a no-go area, so the dive is a narrow out-and-back along one row of pylons. Tankerton Jetty on French Island, 4 km east across the channel, is the companion site reached by the ferry from here. Stony Point is not pretty and its visibility is rarely better than a few metres, but for divers who enjoy the discipline of tidal diving it offers genuine current-swept life inside a bay, easy parking and a general store across the road. It suits experienced divers with tide tables and a flag, and nobody else.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Stony Point Pier is recorded as Jetty/Pier 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.
- 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.
- 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 Stony Point Pier 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 Stony Point Pier 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 calamari, King George whiting, Australian salmon, silver trevally, yellow-eye mullet, sand flathead, snapper, hydroids, sponges and mussels on pylons, rays, draughtboard shark (occasional)
Location
Working ferry pier for French Island and Phillip Island at the end of Stony Point Road, Crib Point, on the western shore of Western Port south of HMAS Cerberus, with a boat ramp and beach beside it.
Facilities nearby
Boat-ramp car park and nearby parking; public toilets at the ramp; general store across the road; railway station; ferry terminal; nearest air fills at Aquability or Diveline (Frankston), 30 km.
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.