Lonsdale Wall - Victoria

Paaltjies, up in Saldanha Bay, is a shallow rock garden we really rate for something a bit different. Forget your deep walls; this is all about exploring a maze of kelp-draped boulders, sometimes just a metre or two deep, topping out around five at high tide. You’ll be finning through dense forests of sea lettuce and other plant life, which gives it a wonderfully eerie, primeval feel. We’ve often spotted puffadder shy sharks tucked into crevices here, and there are always plenty of common pipefish flitting about. Visibility can hover around 3 metres, so it’s not for checking off your pelagic list, but it’s an excellent spot for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys slow, deliberate dives looking for the small, fascinating stuff. Our best experiences here have been on a calm, sunny day when the light filters through the kelp. It’s a site that rewards patience.

Location

Victoria, Australia, Australasia

Coordinates

-38.287800, 144.629800

Type

wall

Marine Protected Area: Port Phillip Heads