Pope's Eye (OW, MR) Depth 12m (40ft) A man made basalt rock annulus. It is the foundation of what was to be an Island Fort built in the 1880's. This horse-shoe shaped artificial reef is now a Marine Reserve and the home of many specie's of fish, invertebrates and algae, including large fronds of macrocysts kelp.
The inside of Pope's Eye provides a safe anchorage in 2-3 metres of water while outside, the rock wall extends to a depth of 12 metres. While the best time to dive Pope's Eye is on the start of the ebb tide, it provides almost all weather, all current diving. Pope's Eye is a must for all divers.
Local divers often dismiss this site as many learnt to dive here. Popes eye is an easy dive but should not be under rated. a horseshoe shaped pile of rocks constructed in wartime it was intended to be a gun emplacement but was never completed. Inside the eye, depending on the height of the tide, people can sometimes stand up. Outside, the kelp covered rocks slope away to 10 meters and sand. This site is part of the Harold Holt Marine Reserve with an absolutely no-take policy. The concentrations of fish are testimony to the success of marine reserves. The fish have no fear and in your face. Nowhere else in the bay will you find more fish in such a small area.
Depth 0-10 meters, Rating: All Levels
Expect to see: Cuttlefish, Octopus, Squid, Starfish, Sea Urchins, Sea Squirts, Ascidians, Shrimp, Rays, Southern sea Garfish, Rock Cod, Long finned pike and Trevally
Photo Rating: 6/10