Ocean Drive is a sheltered beach and reef snorkel site on the southern edge of Port Fairy, along Victoria's rugged Shipwreck Coast. This south-facing beach drops into shallow reefs teeming with fish and invertebrates, with excellent snorkelling to the east and west along the basalt formations. Best explored on calm days with low swell, the site offers clear views of colourful reef marine life. At night it becomes a hotspot for critters like Maori Octopus and Dumpling Squid. Entry is a simple beach shore-entry, with roadside parking right alongside Ocean Drive at the Phillip Street intersection.
Ocean Drive
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.1 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 19 knPrecipitation 26 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Swell and surge
Site requires very low swell and calm conditions; white water indicates dangerous entry.
Moderate risk: Boat traffic
Area is frequented by boats; a dive flag must be displayed at all times.
Moderate risk: Swell exposure
South-facing beach directly exposed to Southern Ocean swells. Large white water means unsafe conditions — abort if rough.
Moderate risk: Rip currents
Unpredictable rip currents can develop along the beach, especially near reef edges during outgoing tide.
Low risk: Changing tides
Tidal flow affects reef access and water clarity; check tide times before entering.
Low risk: Cold water temperature
Southern Ocean water temperatures can drop to 12–14°C even in summer; a thick wetsuit (5mm+) is essential.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Port Fairy town centre, head south on Sackville Street which becomes Ocean Drive. The snorkel site is at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Phillip Street, approximately 2 km from the town centre. Look for the 'Ocean Drive 3' beach marker.
Parking & facilities
Free roadside parking available along Ocean Drive near the Phillip Street intersection.
toiletsparking
No fees. Free public access.
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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