Middle Reef (also known as North Arm Reef) is a popular snorkelling and diving site within the 115-hectare Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary off Beach Road, Beaumaris. This shallow rocky reef system sits in the sheltered waters of Port Phillip Bay, offering easy shore access and a fascinating underwater landscape of sandstone ledges, crevices, and seagrass beds. Part of the legendary Great Southern Reef, it's a superb spot for beginners and families to explore Victoria's temperate marine environment without needing a boat.
Middle Reef
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 8.7 sWind Speed 4.7 knPrecipitation 40 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Boat traffic
Middle Reef is near boating channels in Port Phillip Bay; snorkellers should stay aware and use a dive flag.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility can drop significantly after wind or rain, particularly in shallow areas.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Water temperatures in Port Phillip Bay range from 10–22°C; wetsuit recommended year-round.
Low risk: Rocky terrain
Sharp sandstone ledges and uneven reef bottom require care when entering and exiting the water.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Located off Beach Road, Beaumaris, approximately 20 km south-east of Melbourne CBD. From the Nepean Highway, turn towards the bay on Balcombe Road, then south onto Beach Road. The reef is accessible from the beach near the Beaumaris Life Saving Club or along the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary foreshore.
Parking & facilities
Street parking available along Beach Road, Beaumaris. Additional parking near the Beaumaris Life Saving Club.
parkingtoiletspicnic_tables
No fees. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary is freely accessible.
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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