What is slack water? The water in the bay is slack when there is no tidal flow. Unlike the open sea, slack water does not occur at high and low water, due to the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The ocean and the bay have different tidal conditions which causes water to flow into and out of the bay and only when the water levels are the same is the water slack. This occurs approximately 2 to 3.5 hours after high and low water and is measured at Port Phillip Heads. Slack water tide charts are available from most fishing, diving, boating and some book shops and are necessary to safely plan a dive in the Portsea/Queenscliff area of Port Phillip Bay.

Go to the Map of Port Phillip Heads Dive Sites

Go to the Map of Port Phillip Heads Wreck Sites

Go to the Map of Torquay Wreck Sites

Information on dive sites near Port Phillip Heads can be accessed by right mouse clicking on the hot spots on the map of the Heads. Dive sites outside of the Heads and further up the bay can be accessed by clicking the links in the dive site list.

Links to Dive Sites: