Covering 1,950 square kilometres, Port Phillip is the entrance to Australia’s busiest port and is one of Victoria’s most popular recreational destinations. Although Port Phillip is commonly referred to as ‘the Bay’ or ‘Port Phillip Bay’, Port Phillip is actually not a bay at all. It’s a local port area that is actually made up of over 16 bays.

Every year millions of people enjoy its vast coastline, world-class swimming beaches and coastal parks. An entirely different perspective however is available to those who explore Port Phillip by boat. Island, shipwrecks and marine reserves dot Port Phillip, while scuba diving and fishing reveal the colourful diversity of Port Phillip’s marine life.

Over 3.2 million people live around its shore, making Port Phillip Australia’s most densely populated catchment. Port Phillip is a large expanse of water that is surprisingly shallow in many places. Nearly half of Port Phillip is less than 8 metres deep. Its greatest depth is 24 metres.

Studies show that Port Phillip is a dynamic and self sustaining ecosystem which is healthier and cleaner than comparable bays near large cities. The shallowness of the water aids aeration and the many marine plants and organisms keep Port Phillip in good condition.

Take a look at this great article by Bridie Smith of the Age