Nunn's Beach offers beginner divers a relaxed shore entry into one of Portland's most accessible reef systems. You'll walk straight off the beach into shallow waters ranging from 3 to 10 metres, making this an ideal site for building confidence or trying out new equipment. The variable currents here are generally mild, though it pays to check conditions before entering. The real draw is the marine life diversity packed into such a compact area. Weedy seadragons drift through the kelp, while wobbegong sharks rest camouflaged on the reef floor. You'll spot Shaw's cowfish investigating crevices alongside fiddler rays gliding over the sand. Keep your eyes open for angel sharks partially buried in the sediment, and don't miss the colourful nudibranchs decorating the reef. Crayfish and abalone tuck into rocky overhangs, whilst stingrays cruise the sandy patches. Visibility varies from zero to 20 metres depending on weather and swell, so patience sometimes rewards you with crystal-clear conditions. The site is diveable year-round, with full facilities including parking, toilets, showers and changing rooms. Watch for boat traffic near the entry point, and be mindful of fishing lines and nets that occasionally create entanglement hazards around the reef edges.

Dutton Way is a shallow shore dive along a reef in Victoria that suits beginners well, with depths of just 1 to 5 metres and calm water conditions. Visibility runs from 4 to 7 metres and can vary depending on conditions, so clear days reward you with a decent look at the reef and its resident fish life. Kingfish pass through regularly, and sightings of dolphins and seals add genuine excitement to any dive here. One genuinely unusual find is fossilised shark teeth, which divers occasionally spot along the reef. A mild current means most beginners will feel comfortable, though check for rips before entering.

The Emily S is a wreck sitting in deeper waters off Victoria, with a wall section adding topographic variety to the dive. Depths run from 18 to 24 metres, and visibility can stretch from 10 to 30 metres depending on conditions. The site is accessible year-round by boat and carries no significant current, which makes working the wreck and wall at your own pace straightforward. As with any wreck dive, overhead environments and entanglement hazards are present, so good buoyancy control and awareness of your surroundings matter here. Various reef species have colonised the structure. Intermediate certification and some wreck experience will serve you well.

Lawrence Rocks Bay sits off Victoria's coastline as a boat-access reef and wall site with depths running from 6 to 18 metres and visibility typically between 10 and 20 metres. The wall sections are worth your attention, draped in sponges and jewel anemones that reward a slower, methodical approach. Weedy seadragons turn up along the reef, and seals are a genuine possibility on most dives. Crayfish tuck into crevices along the wall base, while abalone cling to rocky surfaces throughout the site. Pelagic fish move through in open water. Current stays mild, though surge can push you around near the wall, and boat traffic and entanglement hazards mean you should stay alert.

Bridgewater Beach is a shore dive where Australian fur seals and New Zealand fur seals are the main attraction, often curious and playful around divers. Entry is directly from the beach, making this accessible for beginners, though you should check conditions before entering as rip currents can develop. The water is cold year-round, so a good wetsuit is essential. Visibility regularly reaches 12 to 21 metres, which makes it easier to track wildlife and build confidence underwater. Depths extend to 21 metres in the deeper sections, but there is no pressure to go that deep. Whales also pass through, particularly during summer months.