Published on 03 June 2026
Beneath the surf breaks, cliffs and rock pools of the Surf Coast is a world most people never see. Sea dragons drift through kelp forests, and tiny sea slugs hide between reefs. Port Jackson sharks patrol deeper water while humpback whales pass offshore on their winter migration. The Surf Coast’s three marine parks protect some of Victoria’s most unique underwater ecosystems and winter can be one of the best times to slow down and discover them. At Aireys Inlet, the lighthouse watches over Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, which stretches more than 18 hectares from the base of Split Point between Castle Rock and Sentinel Rock.
Along the shoreline, rock pools and reefs are home to decorator crabs, sea stars and, if you’re lucky, the occasional octopus. Visitors exploring the area over winter are reminded to leave dogs at home to help protect the sanctuary’s wildlife. Further west, Point Addis Marine National Park, which includes the world famous Bells Beach, protects a very different underwater landscape. Below the famous surf breaks and cliffs lies Ingoldsby Reef, a hotspot for the Weedy Sea Dragon, alongside sandy plains, limestone archways, sponge gardens and forests of kelp. On calm winter days, divers can spot horseshoe leatherjackets weaving through the kelp while cuttlefish move slowly across the seafloor below. Deeper waters attract the Port Jackson sharks feeding on shellfish, while dolphins regularly pass through the area. During the colder months, albatrosses can also be seen gliding low over the ocean in search of food. Closer to Torquay, the reefs around Point Danger hide one of the coast’s smallest surprises. Brightly coloured sea slugs tucked between the rocks, waiting for sharp-eyed rock pool explorers to spot them. Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries were declared in 2002 to protect the state’s diverse marine ecosystems. From July, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will take over management of these Surf Coast marine parks, helping protect and care for these underwater environments into the future. “As the responsible manager for this marine areas, their natural and cultural values will be cared for and celebrated as a key part of the Great Ocean Road coast and parks,” said GORCAPA CEO, Christine Ferguson.
“We are honoured to manage our Surf Coast marine parks and protect their teeming marine life for future generations of Victorians to enjoy.”