The Eliza Ramsden is a historic three-masted iron barque that sank in 1875 after striking Corsair Rock, now lying upright in 18–22 metres of water off Point Nepean in Port Phillip. This spectacular shipwreck features intact hull plating, a collapsed clipper bow, visible donkey boiler, and bluestone ballast blocks. The wreck is encrusted with soft corals and yellow zoanthids, attracting Southern Blue Devil, Old Wives, boarfish, wrasse, and Giant Australian Cuttlefish. A nearby reef (Ramsden Reef) extends north-east from the stern, home to Leatherjackets, Sweep, and crayfish under ledges. Due to its proximity to active shipping channels, this site is typically accessed via charter boat from Queenscliff or Portsea and must only be dived on slack water.
Eliza Ramsden (wreck)
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Eliza Ramsden (wreck) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Shipping traffic danger
The wreck lies close to the South Channel shipping lane. A shipping check with Point Lonsdale Lighthouse must be conducted before diving, and charter boats may need to abort dives due to passing vessels.
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Shipping traffic
The wreck lies close to the South Channel shipping lane. A shipping check with Point Lonsdale Lighthouse must be conducted before diving, and charter boats may need to abort dives due to passing vessels.
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
The site is affected by strong ebb and flood tides through Port Phillip Heads. Dives must be timed strictly to slack water; currents can exceed safe limits outside this window.
Low risk: Depth
Maximum depth of 22 metres with the seabed at 18–22 metres, requiring appropriate dive certification and gas management for decompression limits.
Low risk: Cold water conditions
Port Phillip water temperatures range from 10–14°C in winter to 18–22°C in summer, necessitating adequate thermal protection and contributing to reduced visibility after storms.
Low risk: Collapsed structure hazards
The wreck has broken-up sections with collapsed decking, exposed stanchions, and sharp metal edges from the 1960s demolition, posing entanglement and snagging risks.
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Getting in
The wreck lies approximately 1 nautical mile north-east off Point Nepean in the South Channel of Port Phillip, near the entrance to the bay. Charter boats depart from Queenscliff and Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula. Boat-accessible only — no shore entry possible.
Parking available at Queenscliff Harbour or Portsea boat ramps and nearby public car parks.
Charter dive boat fees vary (typically $100–$150 per person); no fee for the wreck site itself as it is in public waters.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.