Rip Bank Revealed, Underwater Port Phillip Heads

The entrance to Port Phillip Bay in Victoria is considered one of the world’s most treacherous sea passages, flanked by kelp lined rocky reefs and hidden pinnacles on which many ships have fallen victim to. This 2 km wide entrance can be extremely wild with ripping currents and breaking swells.

The Rip is a 100m deep trench and the ancient path of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Within around 800 meters of the heads, there is a shallow rocky flat known as the Rip Bank. The inequality of depth combined with extremely fast tidal streams which can reach over 6 knots.

The strong and consistent water movements make this passage a filter feeders paradise Overhangs and sheer walls are lined with sponges, ascidians, gorgonians, hydroids, sea tulips, starfish and other invertebrates a chance to flourish.