Meet the site
The Far Side is the wall that lies furthest from either shore – halfway between Shortland Bluff on the Queenscliff side and Point Nepean on the Portsea side, in the middle of the shipping lanes at the inner end of The Rip. The Scuba Doctor listing calls it 'a fantastic wall dive' and gives a range of 20–60 m, with the wall commencing at 18 m and descending 'with overhangs and steps to a depth of 40 metres', running east–west with 'the very sheer wall drop-off to the north'.
That orientation – face to the north, into the bay – is unusual for the Heads and gives the site its character. The sheer face is in shadow for much of the day and the listing is specific that a torch is needed to see the hard and soft corals, which are otherwise muted greys and browns until lit; under a light the overhangs are the full spectrum of orange, yellow and purple sponges and soft corals, with crayfish and southern blue devils calling the overhangs home. Fish life is that of the channel walls generally – boarfish, old wives, morwong, sweep – with pelagics and seals in the open water.
The Far Side is dived on slack water only, either flood or ebb, and the mid-channel position means it cannot be anchored and demands a shipping report and a live boat with someone watching the horizon as well as the divers. Advanced divers can work the top steps to 30 m; the sand at 40 m and the deeper ground beyond are technical territory. It is a club and request-charter site rather than a daily drop, and one that rewards divers who have tired of the busier Lonsdale sections – the name is apt, and the wall sees few divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Far Side is recorded as Wall in Port Phillip Heads. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 The Far Side suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 The Far Side 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, southern blue devil, soft corals, hard corals (encrusting), sponges, longsnout boarfish, old wife, dusky morwong, silver sweep, fur seals
Location
Wall inside the Heads halfway between Shortland Bluff and Point Nepean, in the shipping lanes, 239 m south-east of North Wall.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
