In the native Aboriginal tongue, Warrnambool means “ample water” – a fitting description for this quaint Australian area, which lies southwest of Victoria. Sheltered beaches, pristine coastline, and a wonderfully moderate climate make this area one of Australia’s best for diving. Let’s take a look at just a handful of Warrnambool’s best dive sites.
La Bella Wreck - Warrnambool Dive Sites
The wreck of the La Bella, a medium sized sailing ship that lies on her port side in just 13 meters of water, is a short 300 meters to the southeast of the Warrnambool breakwater. She is covered in kelp and weed growth, with bowsprit, anchors and chain, winches and hawspipes, a donkey engine, winches, pumps and bollards intact on her forward and middle sections; however, her stern has broken up and disappeared over time.
In her heyday, La Bella was a triple-masted brigantine of iron and steel, measuring almost 44 meters long, and registered in New Zealand. On November 10, 1905, she succumbed to heavy seas, and though rescue attempts were made, her sailors perished, one by one. In the end, seven of the twelve men on board lost their lives. A very easy and popular dive in good weather, and one to be avoided in less than ideal conditions, La Bella is home to lots of fish and invertebrates, and is wonderfully picturesque.
Helen Rock - Warrnambool Dive Sites
Helen Rock is about one kilometer from the coast of Killarney, which is a very small town outside of Warrnambool. This magnificent rock is swathed in beautifully colorful soft coral and sponges, and is truly massive. It rises from the seabed, which is at twenty meters, to within two meters of the surface. While it is a hazard to navigation for mariners, it is an attractant to fish and other marine life of all kinds! A wonderful place for photos, but subject to some current, Helen Rock can be dived only when conditions are perfectly calm.
Stingray Bay - Warrnambool Dive Sites
This protected area is very popular, especially during the summer, and is located near a popular swimming beach, so toilets and showers are close at hand, plus parking is a snap. From the parking lot, all you’ve got to do is head down the stairs to the beach, then pass between the 2 small islands and into the enclosed bay area to the south. There are mystical kelp forests here, plus caves and reef walls, and plenty of beautiful swimthroughs, too.
Stingray bay is subject to surge at times, so be very careful to make note of conditions before beginning your dive. If the surge is coming from the southeast, save your visit for another day! When conditions are right though, it’s a great place for all divers to enjoy, with plenty of fish and invertebrates plus great visibility and light for photos.
Thunder Point - Warrnambool Dive Sites
You’ll only be able to dive Thunder Point if conditions are ideal, as the swell can be treacherous. The underwater terrain is rugged, with rocky crevices brimming with crayfish, and a few abalone as well, though not as many as were there before a virus caused a mass die-off. You’ll sometimes see seals and pelagics here, in 5 to 20 meters of water.
Penguin & Middle Islands - Warrnambool Dive Sites
Offering fantastic shore dives, and within a quick walking distance from the Warrnambool breakwater, the rugged terrain at Penguin and Middle Islands attracts all kinds of intriguing creatures. Moray eels and fish lurk in the small caves that dot the rocky walls that surround the islands, and the area is home to crayfish, which are coveted by local divers. Besides the fish that enjoy the protection the area provides, you may encounter small sharks and stingrays here.
While these are just a few of the best dives the area has to offer, they will get you off to a great start. Check with local dive operators, as availability may be limited at times! Booking in advance will get you to the sites you want to dive.