The Drop Off as the name implies is a near vertical wall situated just inside The Rip, or the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Understandably, this is only a slack water dive and extreme care must be taken to observe water movement prior to entry.
It is best dived (for safety reasons) at the end of the ebb (slack water ebb) as on the turn of the tide, water will be moving into the Bay rather than moving out. The reef in this particular area extends for approx. 2000m resulting in many different dive locations, each with its own characteristics. Generally speaking the top of the reef commences in 15 to 20m and then drops either vertically, or in steps to over 90m.
The Drop Off has prolific invertebrate life due to the strong currents which prevail in the area, and large gorgonian fans are commonplace at depths of approx. 30m. The wall is covered in sponges, ascidians and bryzoa down to that depth.