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Watersports to try in summer

Ready for your next summer adventure? Get out on the water with scuba diving, swimming or canoeing and kayaking. Going with a licensed tour operator is a great way to enjoy these activities for beginners and experts alike.      

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Scuba diving

Those willing to brave the cool waters of Victoria will be rewarded with a world of wonderful marine life. Explore reefs, shipwrecks and kelp forests. Colourful fish, seahorses, sea stars, bright corals, stingrays and seals are among what you’ll see. Learn more about the marine life you might find when diving in a marine protected area.

Visit our scuba diving page to find great diving spots.



Popular dive sites:

The Heads of Port Phillip taken from Point Nepean National Park.

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park is made up of six separate marine areas around the southern end of Port Phillip. A high proportion of Victorian species of marine flora and fauna are represented in the Port Phillip Head's region.
A diver takes a photo of the bridge of the Ex-HMAS Canberra

ex-HMAS Canberra

The ex-HMAS Canberra, a former warship which served the Australian Navy between 1981 and 2005, is the first artificial reef in Victoria created specifically for diving. The vessel was scuttled off Barwon Heads in October 2009 and now lies in 30 metres of water.

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Crystal clear shallow waters, sandstone reefs, sea caves, and rockpools make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the wonderful sea creatures of Port Phillip Bay.

Freshwater swimming

Forget the beach this summer and take a dip surrounded by nature. Freshwater swimming holes can be found in waterfalls and rivers and near picnic areas, making the perfect day out. Remember to stay safe when freshwater swimming and observe signs.

Find somewhere to swim on our freshwater swimming page.



Popular spots:

The jetty at Lake Catani near the campground at Mount Buffalo National Park

Lake Catani Campground

Discover magnificent waterfalls and remote alpine landscapes while camping within beautiful Snow Gum woodlands beside Lake Catani in Mount Buffalo National Park.
Water cascades down the granite rockface at Eurobin Falls.

Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls

At Ladies Bath Falls, water cascades into a perfectly clear pool of water, while at Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls, Crystal Creek spills spectacularly over a formidable granite escarpment.
The Pound Bend Tunnel on the Yarra River near the Warrandyte State Park.

Pound Bend

Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. There are easy walks and tracks around this area.
A family stops for lunch at MacKenzie's Flat Picnic Area

Mackenzies Flat

Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area, at the end of the Lerderderg Gorge Road, is a popular spot for a picnic.There are toilets, electric barbecues and picnic tables.

Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting

Canoeing and kayaking are both great ways to explore a park from a new perspective. From a peaceful paddle at Lake Eildon National Park to a few days on the Glenelg River Canoe Trail, there’s options for everyone. For thrill-seekers, why not try white-water rafting.

Find a place to get on the water on our canoeing, kayaking and rafting page.



Popular places for paddling:

A couple walk along the Bogong High Plains near Mt Nelse.

Alpine National Park

The Alpine National Park is an adventure-lover’s dream. Hike Victoria’s highest mountain ranges, explore wildflower draped landscapes on horseback or head out on world-class mountain bike trails
A young couple paddle kayaks on a sunny afternoon across Lake Eildon.

Lake Eildon National Park

Lake Eildon National Park is in the northern foothills of Victoria's Central Highlands, 150 km north-east of Melbourne. Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the park protects 27,750 ha of rugged hills with open woodlands through to dense forest.
Two kayakers come across a group of pelicans on the Gippsland Lakes.

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

The tranquil Gippsland Lakes are a system of coastal lagoons separated from the Tasman Sea by the coastal dunes of the Ninety Mile Beach. Seven rivers terminate at the lakes – the Latrobe, Avon, Nicholson, Tambo, Mitchell, Macalister and Thomson rivers.
Two campers relax at their campsite after a long paddle.

Lower Glenelg National Park

The Glenelg River is the central feature of the Lower Glenelg National Park. Along the last part of its winding 400 kilometre path to the sea the river has carved a spectacular gorge up to 50 metres deep through limestone. River erosion and the action of rainwater have created a remarkable cave.
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