With summer just around the corner, it’s time to dust off your bathers or boardies and plunge into our region’s multitude of water-based activities. Dive into fun, in and under the water at Ocean Grove!

Around Geelong and the Bellarine, we’re blessed with shores galore where you can dive, surf, swim in, on or under the water. Swimming, jetty-strolling, rock-pooling, scuba diving. You don’t need elite skills or fancy equipment, but if you’re keen, you can hire the right gear and even engage a pro to help you find the best spots, brush-up your skills or master something brand-new-to-you.

Wherever you choose to dip your toes, prepare to get gloriously wet and have bucket loads of fun.

Swim with the dolphins

Cruise out from Queenscliff on a Sea All Dolphin Swims tour and get ready to snorkel with dolphins, seals and reef fish in the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.  Ride the boom net over the deep blue and dare yourself to jump from the boat’s roof at cruise end. Sea All Dolphin Swims caters for all ages and abilities with educational and totally immersive experiences that will get your adventure juices flowing.

Channel your inner nature nerd.

If feeling the sea spray tickle your nostrils is as wet as you want to get, you can still venture beyond the shore. Why not board a South Bay Eco Adventures purpose-built boat for a thrilling eco-tour of Port Phillip Heads, the Rip and Southern Port Phillip Bay? Enjoy access to boat-only locales where you get up close to Australian Fur Seals, Australasian Gannets, military heritage and stunning coastal landscapes you’ll never see from terra firma. Tours operate daily during season and are always gloat-worthy.

Surf up a storm.

Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, you’ll soak up some wicked new skills during a surf lesson. Learning from qualified, experienced instructors, you’ll be standing up or carving through the waves in no time. And what waves they are! Our world-class surf beaches are legendary. No excuses – wet suits and surf boards are provided; just bring along your sense of fun and natural adventure. Book your lesson with Go Ride a Wave (Ocean Grove or Torquay) and get ready for the endless summer.

Get oarsome with a paddle.

At Barwon Heads, the Barwon River creates the ideal natural environment for paddling at all levels and nearby windswept ocean beaches dial it up a notch for when you’re ready to challenge-up. From kayaking, canoeing and fishing kyaking to stand up paddle boarding and surf skiing, your paddling fix is sorted. Paddle Life at Barwon Heads have everything you need: equipment hire, lessons and even group adventures. Feeling friendly? Why not gather your squad and step up to the challenge of a four-person stand up paddle board? It’s the stuff off belly-laughs.

Haul in a hubba-bubba catch of the day.

Charter a fishing boat and cruise the seas under the eye of anglers with local know how. You’ll have your best chance yet of reeling in a big one that didn’t get away. Choose your charter company to fit your needs (or wants): maybe a fishing clinic, a sunset tour or an on-board pizza oven and BBQ? Check out the deals on offer at Geelong Fishing Charters, Queenscliff Fishing Charters and Scenic Tours, and Game and Recreational Fishing Charters.

Plunge into an underwater wonder world.

For scuba divers, there’s a whole other dimension to Port Phillip Bay. Beneath the surface, discover old shipwrecks and reefs crawling with marine life. There are dozens of dive sites waiting for experienced divers to explore. Plunge 28 metres down to explore ex-HMAS Canberra, a sunken frigate that’s Victoria’s first artificial reef created just for divers, just off Ocean Grove near Port Phillip Heads. Join a dive tour through Dive Victoria and immerse yourself in our underwater brilliance.

Thanks to Sheryl Allen from Visit Geelong & Bellarine page for the Blog.