Rip Drift

The Rip is the name given to that renowned stretch of water at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, separating Points Lonsdale and Nepean.

Site layout:
-A deep rift which travels from the edge of the Kelp Beds, towards Lonsdale and then out through the centre of the Rip, towards and then past Point Nepean

Points of interest:
-Hundreds of ships have been lost in this region -You will be swept past the large rift and approach kelp beds -You will pass over large bommies and deep gutters teeming with fish and other marine life

Bottom composition: Varied
Water movement/currents: Can reach speeds in excess of 5 knots and usually carries the group several kilometres during a 30minute dive
Hazards: Can be one of the most dangerous stretches of water on our continent. At other times it can be very peaceful and calm. Best dived on a flood tide. Care must be taken not to snag the drift line on rocks or other protrusions. There may be severe turbidity of the water due to the rift.