Lawrence Rock consists of two basalt-and-tuff islets (6.8 ha and 1.5 ha) with a fringing reef, the remnants of an extinct volcano approximately 6 km southeast of Portland, Victoria. Accessed by boat, this exposed offshore site offers gutters, ledges, and swim-throughs carved into volcanic rock, with prolific fish life set against the dramatic backdrop of a major Australasian gannet breeding colony. The site is best dived in calm low-swell conditions due to its open-ocean exposure.
Lawrence Rock
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Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.9 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 2.0 knPrecipitation 17 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Lawrence Rock has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Open ocean swells danger
Highly exposed location with no shelter; requires low swell conditions for safe diving
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Open ocean swells
Highly exposed location with no shelter; requires low swell conditions for safe diving
Moderate risk: Strong currents
Tidal currents run hard around the islets, particularly in rough weather
Low risk: Boat access only
Located 2.4 km offshore from Point Danger; requires boat and open-water dive qualifications
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Southern Ocean waters remain cold year-round; requires appropriate exposure protection
Low risk: Outgoing tide current
Flowing water around the reef edge can be moderate during outgoing tides, especially near the southwestern corner.
Low risk: Cool water temperatures
Southern Ocean water temperatures can drop below 14°C (57°F) in winter, requiring a wetsuit.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility can be reduced after swell or rainfall, particularly in the shallow nursery area.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Lawrence Rock lies about 2.4 km southeast of Point Danger and roughly 6 km southeast of Portland, Victoria. Boat departure typically from Portland Harbour.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Portland Harbour boat ramp area.
parkingboat_ramp
No direct fees, but requires arranging a boat charter or private vessel.
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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.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports