Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park:

There is a huge diversity of marine life within the waters at the Prom. Brilliantly colored fish are present such as the Red Velvetfish, Eastern Blue Groper and Wrasse as well as Leafy Seadragons and schools of Barber Perch. Intertidal molluscs such as limpets and snails, as well as anemones, brittlestars and seastars, are also common within the waters.

Divers will experience fascinating sponge gardens which consist of a technicoloured assemblage of sponges, sea tulips, sea whips, lace corals and seafans. Octopus emerge at night whilst sharks and rays roam the sandy areas. The offshore islands support many colonies of fur seals and oceanic birds such as Little Penguins, Fairy Prions, Silver Gulls and Pacific Gulls.

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Diving Conditions :

The Wilsons Promontory coastline is less exposed to swells than other parts of the Victorian coast, but is subject  to strong current flows and high winds. These winds can create substantial surface waves, affect  local currents and cause turbidity. Strong and complex tidal patterns occur in the park. The western coast  is generally subject to a south-west swell, and the eastern coast to  a south-east swell. The only major current in the park area is the very weak termination of the East Australian Current. 

 

Marine Habitat:

The fish fauna includes wide-ranging cool temperate species endemic  to Southern Australian, with a much smaller proportion of warmer-water temperate species towards the southern limits of their range. Common species include old wives Enoplosus armatus, the large bastard trumpeter Latriopsis forsteri, various perch Caesioperca spp., various wrasse Notolabrus spp., southern hulafish Trachinops caudimaculatus, various sweep Scorpis spp., magpie perch Cheilodactylus nigripes,  the toothbrush leatherjacket Acanthaluteres vittiger, herring  cale Odax cyanomelas and mado Atypichthys strigatus. The water column is home to a variety of planktonic and pelagic organisms. Those that make their permanent home in the water column include  sea jellies, salps, many fish, and phytoplankton and zooplankton.  A number of marine mammals,  turtles and seabirds are also found  in or use the water column.

 

Accessibility :

The park is accessible by boat  (launching point in Tidal River, Sandy Point or for larger vessels wishing to visit the park from Port Welshpool), or by foot through Wilsons Promontory National Park.

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