The pilings of the Rye, Blairgowrie, Portsea, and Flinders piers on the Mornington Peninsula are legendary shore-diving sites for the endemic big-belly seahorse — one of the largest species in the world, reaching 35 cm. The weedy seadragon, the state fish emblem of Victoria and a close seahorse relative, is also reliably found here. Southern Australian waters have temperate conditions (12-18°C), so a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit is essential. December to March offers the warmest, calmest conditions.
