

Step Beach sits within the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary and offers a kelp forest dive in easy shallow waters down to 10 metres, making it a solid choice for intermediate divers comfortable handling current and surge. Visibility is variable, so conditions can shift quickly, and the strong currents, surf, and potential rip currents demand a proper pre-dive assessment. Beneath the Bull Kelp and Neptune's Necklace, you'll find decorator crabs and chitons working the reef while wrasse and sea-sweep move through the water column. Port Jackson Sharks and stingrays are the headline encounters, typically resting on or near the bottom among the reef structure.
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Check the surf forecast before committing to an entry, as the current and rip can make this site genuinely hazardous on bigger swell days. Entering at slack tide or during calmer periods will give you a far more manageable dive and better visibility.
Access is via Step Beach. Parking is available at the Split Point Lighthouse car park on Federal Street. From the car park, take the stairs down the cliff to the beach.
The site is exposed and conditions can be challenging. Large waves, strong currents, and undertows are significant hazards. The rock platforms can be very slippery. It is not a patrolled area.
Depth
1-10m
Visibility
0m
Skill Level
Intermediate
Entry
Shore
Water Temp
13-19°C
Current
Strong
Best Time
Year-round
Step Beach in Victoria hosts Port Jackson sharks, stingrays, wrasse, sea-sweep, decorator crabs, and chitons amongst the kelp forests. The sanctuary's rocky reefs are particularly known for Neptune's Necklace seaweed and Bull Kelp, which provide habitat for the diverse marine species. Snorkellers can encounter these species in waters ranging from 1 to 10 metres deep.
Step Beach on the Great Ocean Road offers shore-based entry with parking facilities available. No boat is required to access the snorkelling area, making it accessible directly from the beach. The site takes its name from the natural rock steps that lead into the water.
Step Beach experiences strong currents, surf, surge, and rip currents that require careful navigation. Water temperatures range from 13 to 19 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The challenging conditions make this an intermediate-level snorkelling site despite its shore entry.
The optimal months for snorkelling at Step Beach Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary are January through August. These months provide the most favourable conditions for exploring the marine sanctuary. Year-round snorkelling is possible in Victoria's cool temperate waters, though conditions vary seasonally.
Step Beach requires intermediate snorkelling skills due to strong currents, surge, and potential rip currents. Snorkellers should have open water certification or equivalent experience to safely navigate the conditions. The site is not recommended for beginners despite its shore access.
Step Beach Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary on the Great Ocean Road has no entry fee. Parking facilities are available at the site for visitor access. The marine sanctuary is freely accessible to snorkellers and divers.
Snorkellers at Step Beach must be prepared for strong currents, surf, surge, and rip currents. The combination of these hazards requires constant awareness and intermediate skill level to manage safely. Conditions can change rapidly along this section of Victoria's coastline.
Diving at Step Beach in Great Ocean Road requires the following certifications: Open Water, Advanced. Always dive within your training limits.
A 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry is recommended for diving at Step Beach in Great Ocean Road. Water temperatures range from 13°C to 19°C.
Step Beach in Great Ocean Road has depths ranging from 1 metres to 10 metres.
Step Beach in Great Ocean Road is excellent for snorkelling with a rating of 3 out of 5. Shallow areas start from 1 metres, making it accessible for snorkellers.