Meet the site
Tea House Bay is the small protected bight directly in front of the Ricketts Point teahouse, enclosed on its seaward side by the reefs that make up the sanctuary's central section. Where Tea House Reef to the north is all channels and rock, the bay is more open: a sandy, weedy floor that deepens gently from the beach to about 4 m, ringed by reef edges and ledges. That mix is what makes it worth a separate visit. The sand and seagrass hold the sanctuary's soft-bottom residents (flathead, flounder, fiddler rays, stingarees, sand crabs, pipefish and seahorses in the weed, and octopus and dumpling squid at night), while the reef edges have the usual dense zebrafish, snapper, wrasse, blennies and moonlighters. It is the most sheltered water in the central sanctuary, tucked behind reef, and it is the obvious choice for a first snorkel, a child's first look at fish, or a relaxed night dive with the teahouse lights as a reference. The parking, toilets, wheelchair ramp and accessible facilities of the teahouse precinct are within 100 m of the water, which also makes it the most accessible entry in the sanctuary for divers with mobility limits. On summer weekends it is busy and the low-tide entry in front of the cafe is awkwardly shallow, so time the dive for the top of the tide. For a longer dive, enter here and work north around the reef onto Tea House Reef, then return the same way; the yellow sanctuary marker is a useful turning point and surface reference throughout.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Tea House Bay, Ricketts Point is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay. 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.
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 Tea House Bay, Ricketts Point suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Tea House Bay, Ricketts Point 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
Snapper (juvenile pinkies), flathead, dusky morwong, zebrafish, old wives, moonlighters, scalyfin, Tasmanian blennies, blue-throat wrasse, leatherjackets, octopus, smooth stingrays, southern fiddler rays (banjo sharks), southern eagle rays, Port Jackson sharks, sea urchins, cushion stars, nudibranchs, seahorses and pipefish in seagrass
Location
Sheltered shallow bay immediately in front of and south of the Ricketts Point Beaumaris Cafe and Bar (the teahouse), protected by reef, in the centre of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.
Facilities nearby
Ticketed car park at the teahouse; public toilets, wheelchair ramp, accessible shower and toilet; cafe; nearest air fills Scuba Culture
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.auparks.vic.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
