Meet the site
The Nursery is the boulder field on the eastern side of Lawrence Rocks, and it is the most unusual dive at the rocks. The boulders to the east, in the Scuba Doctor's description, are full of sea caves and caverns home to a wealth of marine life; four prominent caves open at about 14 m, and one of them, known as The Cockpit, has a slot in its roof leading to a small air chamber above that can hold four divers at a time. Visit Portland lists the site at 5–25 m with boulder formations, crevices and caves, and recommends cavern or wreck certification for anyone entering them. The caverns and the shaded faces of the boulders carry the dense sponge, ascidian and bryozoan growth of the cold Portland water, crayfish are abundant in the crevices, and the caves shelter boarfish, bullseyes, blue devils and the juvenile fish that presumably gave the site its name. Seals from the haul-out on the rocks follow divers into the boulder field, and the scuttled trawler Emily S lies 234 m to the north-east, so the two are usually dived together.
It is an Advanced dive because of the overhead environment and the depth range rather than any great difficulty in navigation: the caves are short and the entrances broad, but they surge in any swell, and The Cockpit's roof chamber is a place to be careful about buoyancy, torches and taking turns. The eastern side is partly sheltered from the prevailing south-west swell and the site is diveable on more days than the southern walls, but easterly weather closes it. No dive charter operates from Portland, so the site is dived by private boats and by arrangement with fishing charters, with Portland SCUBA the source of air and local knowledge. For a diver with cavern experience it is, with the Emily S, the best reason to bring a boat to Lawrence Rocks on a moderate 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.
The Nursery, Lawrence Rocks is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Portland & the West. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Nursery, Lawrence Rocks 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 The Nursery, Lawrence Rocks 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 (abundant), longsnout boarfish, bullseyes, blue devils, juvenile reef fish, sea sweep, blue-throat wrasse, magpie perch, sponges, ascidians and bryozoans in the caverns, Australian fur seals, kelp on the boulder tops
Location
Boulder field on the eastern side of Lawrence Rocks riddled with sea caves and caverns, including four prominent caves at about 14 m and 'The Cockpit', a chamber with a slot in the roof that holds four divers.
Facilities nearby
Portland Harbour ramps with trailer parking, toilets and showers at the Lee Breakwater; Portland SCUBA for air, gear and courses; Portland town facilities, fuel and accommodation.
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.auvisitportland.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.