Pope's Eye
Pope's Eye
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
18 reviews
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Janne
Melbourne, Australia15 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Pope’s Eye is a artificial structure protruding above the water surface. It is composed of bluestone boulders laid in a semi-circular ring. Originally intended to become one of the fortresses guarding the entrance to Port Phillip, however it was never completed. Today this structure provides a safe anchorage for pleasure craft. It is about 1.5m deep within the ring and drops off to about 10m around the outside.
Popes Eye is a favourite location for divers and snorkellers due to the protection it provides from tidal currents. It is a fascinating dive and snorkel site for both the experienced and novice. Beneath the kelp a magnificent and colour marine environment awaits. Pope’s Eye supports a huge variety of species including colourful reef fish, octopus, featherstars, cuttlefish, seals and gorgonian corals.
Popes Eye is also a nesting ground for Gannets. It is, in fact, one of the few man made structure in the world where this species will breed. It is a sight to be seen when the chicks hatch and their parents are feeding and guarding their young.
Close by is also another man made structure for the seals of the bay to rest and for us to observe them swimming and sleeping.
Popes Eye is a favourite location for divers and snorkellers due to the protection it provides from tidal currents. It is a fascinating dive and snorkel site for both the experienced and novice. Beneath the kelp a magnificent and colour marine environment awaits. Pope’s Eye supports a huge variety of species including colourful reef fish, octopus, featherstars, cuttlefish, seals and gorgonian corals.
Popes Eye is also a nesting ground for Gannets. It is, in fact, one of the few man made structure in the world where this species will breed. It is a sight to be seen when the chicks hatch and their parents are feeding and guarding their young.
Close by is also another man made structure for the seals of the bay to rest and for us to observe them swimming and sleeping.
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kazebear
Bendigo, Australia380 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
have boated here a few times but on our last occasion there where no other boats anchored and we discovered a reef that goes right around the popes eye where the boats are normally anchored the depth was great and I saw the most amazing sealife and plants! well worth the trip out here!
Written April 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry M
Stawell, Australia46 contributions
Jun 2018
Australia's smallest marine park is well worth a visit, lots of marine life and an interesting history.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred Nerk
Vermont South, Australia181 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We visited by private speed boat out of Sorrento and found around 7 boats already moored in the eye. It’s quite interesting to visit and see all the breeding Gannets and the occasional cormorant. The water is about 2m deep and quite clear and warm. It’s protected from strong currents and is popular with snorkellers as it is an uncompleted foundation for an island fort quite near to the heads of Port Philip bay.
Written January 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,764 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The Pope's Eye is best seen from the west direction Sea Road Ferry (Sorrento to Queenscliff) . It was built in the 1880's by dumping bluestone rocks on a sand bar 12 meter deep as a foundation for a Fort to protect Port Phillip Bay some 7 KM from the heads and 3 KM from Queenscliff. The same engineers and construction company built the Fort at Queenscliff however the Pope's Eye was never completed as technology changed and there was no need for such a fort. It is now a haven for birds.
Written October 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueMAustralia
Australia46 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
We visited with a group on a tour, but enjoyed the sheltered water to snorkel and see the kelp and surprisingly colourful reef fish as well as the Gannets and Black-Faced Cormorants resting or nesting on the rocks.
Written February 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A T
Melbourne, Australia87 contributions
Dec 2015
Popes Eye is a favourite location of divers and snorkelers cause of the protection it provides from tidal currents and because of this many "SCUBA Clubs" find to use this site for "Beginners" first open water dive("Like myself'). It is a fascinating dive and snorkel site for both experienced and novice water goers.
Written January 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
Melbourne, Australia42 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Seems amazing you are in the middle of the bay and you can snorkel and see fish and seals only minutes out from Queenscliff. We have visited here with our own boats but we do see tours come out as well. You can anchor up inside the rock wall and then do some snorkelling
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis C
Melbourne, Australia2,200 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
The Searoad Ferries ply the passage passed the Pope's Eye every day between Queenscliff and Sorrento, however if you want to appreciate this magic piece marine park the only way to do it is by a much smaller vessel. We ventured right up to the Eye onboard with South Bay Eco Tours in a purpose built vessel ideal for this 'close up' type of tourism. The Pope's Eye is a monument to the folly of our ancestors who believed that Victoria was at risk of invasion in the 1800s, and this artificial emplacement, together with forts at Point Nepean and Queenscliff, were going to protect us from said invasion. I believe the British had a similar view to protecting Singapore only to be sadly mistaken. Today, the Eye is a haven for a multitude of marine and bird life, and a boon to divers and marine nature lovers. Seals, gannets and migrating birds provide a scenic and photographic wonderland. Well worth the visit. even if done as part of a bay tour, seal watching tour, diving or fishing tour.
Written December 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia35,434 contributions
Apr 2019
We visited here as part of a seal cruise with WaterMaarq and it was amazing. We hopped in the water to go snorkeling and saw an array of marine life include a mantra ray. But the highlight was the juvenile seals sunbathing on rocks who jumped into water with us
Written April 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pope's Eye
- Hotels near Pope's Eye:
- (0.01 mi) By The Bay - Queenscliff
- (0.02 mi) Maison Cottage Queenscliff
- (0.02 mi) Fishermans Cottage - Queenscliff
- (0.04 mi) Queenscliff harbour views cottage/apartment
- (0.07 mi) Large House on Wharf Street
- Restaurants near Pope's Eye:
- (0.07 mi) Lix Cafe
- (0.07 mi) Q Seafood Provedore by J Collection Hotels
- (0.07 mi) Q Cafe & Bar
- (0.18 mi) Queenscliff Brewhouse
- (0.26 mi) 360Q
Pope's Eye Information
Excellent Reviews | 7 |
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Very Good Reviews | 9 |
Pope's Eye Photos | 24 |