The park is an internationally recognised dive site, offering excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities for varying levels of experience. 

The park is made up of six separate marine areas around the southern end of Port Phillip:

• Swan Bay
• Mud Islands
• Point Lonsdale
• Point Nepean
• Popes Eye
• Portsea Hole

The habitats found within this park are diverse, ranging from mudflats and seagrass meadows to deep and shallow reefs, rocky shores and beautiful pelagic waters. The variety of habitats, along with the central Victorian location, results in the presence of a great abundance of marine species.

The area marks the end of the range for some animals and plants that prefer the cold waters of western Victoria, but it also supports warmth-loving species from eastern Australia that can survive in the bay's relatively calm, shallow waters.

A high proportion of Victorian species of marine flora and fauna are represented in the Port Phillip Head's region.

Access

Swan Bay and Point Lonsdale are accessible by either shore or boat, whereas Portsea Hole, Point Nepean, Pope’s Eye and Mud Islands are only accessible by boat. Queenscliff, Swan Bay and Portsea all have launching points.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.

Indigenous tradition indicates that the Bellarine Peninsula side of the Marine National Park is part of the Country of the Wathaurong, and the Mornington Peninsula side of the Marine National Park, including Mud Islands, is part of Country of the Boonwurrung.

Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria