Pope’s Eye is located about 5km north east of Portsea and is an artificial structure protruding above the water surface. It is composed of …
You are here
Home > Explore > Parks map search > Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park > Things to do > Pope's EyePope's Eye
Loading map
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/_design/scripts/mapping/getlocationinfo http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/_design/ajax-requested-content/get-add-your-photo-url http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/_design/ajax-requested-content/get-add-your-video-urla3411076-28d6-766c-e040-a8c0ac642022Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability which may arise from you relying upon this information
Senator Wrasse (photo: Julian Finn)
1 year ago from Claire HarveyParks Victoria
Location: Pope's Eye
Sea Star (photo: Jonathan Stevenson)
1 year ago from Claire HarveyParks Victoria
Location: Pope's Eye
Australasian Gannets (photo: Jonathan Stevenson)
1 year ago from Claire HarveyParks Victoria
Location: Pope's Eye
Diving at Pope's Eye
1 year ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Pope's Eye
Australasian Gannets
1 year ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Pope's Eye
Add change of condition
Change of conditions
- No change of conditions apply
Bird watching
Snorkelling/SCUBA Diving
0 visitor ratings
Pope’s Eye is located about 5km north east of Portsea and is an artificial structure protruding above the water surface. It is composed of bluestone boulders laid in a semi-circular ring. Originally intended to become one of the fortresses guarding the entrance to Port Phillip, however it was never completed. Today this structure provides a safe anchorage for pleasure craft. It is about 1.5m deep within the ring and drops off to about 10m around the outside.
The tops of the rocks are covered by extensive beds of brown kelps including both giant kelp and leathery kelp. Beneath the kelp a magnificent and colour marine environment awaits. Arguably just as enthralling as tropical reef, Pope’s Eye supports a huge variety of species including colourful reef fish, octopus, featherstars, cuttlefish, seals and gorgonian corals.
This site is also an important nesting ground for Australasian Gannets. It is, in fact, one of the few man made structure in the world where this species will breed. Popes Eye has also been the only fully protected marine environment within Port Philip for the last twenty years and as a consequence there are large numbers of animals present, particularly fish.
Popes Eye is a favourite location of divers and snorkellers due to the protection it provides from tidal currents. Because of this, many SCUBA clubs use this site for beginners’ first open water dive. It is a fascinating dive and snorkel site for both experienced and novice water goers.
Visitor experiences
Click to view the news RSS feed.
Bushfire fuel reduction works along Arthurs Seat Road
08 May 2013
Parks Victoria is undertaking fuel reduction works along Arthurs Seat Road over the next few weeks including the manual removal of woody weeds such as Boneseed, Sweet Pittosporum and Sallow Wattle across parts of the northern face of Arthurs Seat. The fuel reduction works form part of Parks Victoria’s …