Nepean Bay is a reef dive suited to beginners, with easy shallow waters reaching no deeper than 7 metres and visibility of 5 to 10 metres. The site is best visited between November and March when conditions are most favourable. Port Jackson sharks are a regular highlight here, often resting on or near the reef, and a variety of fish species move through the area. Bear in mind that currents can run strong at times, so keep an eye on conditions before you get in. Entry is by boat, and boat traffic is an ongoing hazard to stay aware of throughout your dive.

The Eliza Ramsden sits in 6 to 9 metres of water off Victoria, making it unusually accessible for a wreck dive, though strong currents demand solid buoyancy control and situational awareness. Visibility swings considerably, reaching up to 20 metres on good days, which rewards divers who time their visit right. The wreck has developed into a solid artificial reef, with gorgonian corals establishing themselves across the structure. Kingfish, trevally and sweep move through in schools, while blue devils, boarfish and wrasse work closer to the hull. Cuttlefish, flathead and leatherjackets round out a diverse resident population. Watch for boat traffic throughout your dive.

Spectacular Reef is a wall and drop-off dive off Victoria that demands respect from the moment you hit the water. Strong currents run consistently here, making buoyancy control and situational awareness non-negotiable. Depths sit in the 6 to 9 metre range on the shallow sections, though the hazard list includes decompression concerns and nitrogen narcosis risk, so plan your profile carefully. Visibility can reach 20 metres under good conditions. The reef structure supports soft corals and sponges, and if you work the wall patiently you can find Blue Devilfish tucked into crevices and crayfish sheltering beneath ledges.

Queenscliff Bottle Drift is a drift dive in the deeper waters of Victoria's Port Phillip Heads, where a moderate current does most of the work and carries you along for the ride. Depths run from 26 to 30 metres, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres depending on conditions. As a beginner, you'll want to stay close to your guide and let the current move you rather than fighting it. Keep an eye on the sandy bottom and mid-water for crabs and stingrays, and with luck, seals or dolphins may join you along the way. Boat entry is standard here, and guided tours are strongly recommended.

Quarantine Station Wall is a shore-entry drift dive along a vertical wall in Victoria's Port Phillip Bay. The site runs between 12 and 20 metres deep, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres depending on conditions. A moderate current does most of the work for you, carrying you along the wall at a comfortable pace past various reef species. While the drift element makes this feel manageable, beginners should be aware that currents can strengthen without much warning and the deeper sections push beyond typical entry-level territory. Check conditions carefully before getting in, and treat this one as a step up from sheltered beginner sites.

London Bridge Rockpool is a shallow shore entry site sitting in just 0 to 2 metres of water, making it an accessible starting point for beginner snorkellers and divers curious about temperate marine life. Visibility here is variable, so conditions can shift depending on swell and surge. Despite the moderate to strong current that can push through, the rock pool environment shelters a surprising range of small creatures. Look carefully and you will find sea stars, crabs, nudibranchs, weed shrimp, cuttlefish, and the unusual Evan's Sea Spider tucked into crevices. Watch your footing around sea urchins and sharp surfaces on entry and exit.

Boarfish Reef Bottle Drift is a current-driven dive where you read the water and let it do the work. Strong currents sweep you along the reef, so good buoyancy control and drift experience matter here. Visibility ranges from 5 to 30 metres depending on conditions, with the clearer days revealing soft corals and sponges across depths of 6 to 22 metres. The site earns its name from the boarfish you'll regularly encounter, and Blue Devil fish are worth slowing down for. Look closer at the reef structure for nudibranchs, yellow sea spiders, mosaic sea stars, and crayfish tucked into the crevices. Boat traffic is a real consideration on ascent, so deploy your SMB.

Flat Rock is a reef dive off Victoria that rewards beginners with a good mix of marine life at manageable depths. The shallower sections of the reef sit at around 12 metres, with deeper water dropping to 25 metres as you gain experience and confidence. Visibility swings widely from 1 to 20 metres, so conditions can vary noticeably between visits. Keep an eye out for blue devil fish and boarfish sheltering close to the reef, cuttlefish hovering in the open, and Port Jackson sharks resting on the bottom. Swell sharks, rays, soft corals, nudibranchs, and crayfish round out what you might encounter. The current here can run moderate to strong, and surge is worth watching, so go with a guided tour until you know the site well.