Tour of Port Phillip Heads

Next Tour - Sunday March 16th, 2025
Departing Queenscliff 12 noon

• Obtaining knowledge of the Port Phillip Heads ‘The Rip’ and all the navigation aids.
• There's nothing like seeing it from the water and listening to the expert instruction.
• Connecting Sorrento – Queenscliff ferry and return included in price (value $32.00 adult)
• Tour duration one half hours
• Hand out guide provided
• Bookings essential

If you board at Sorrento, you can enjoy a day in Queenscliff and return on the Sorrento Searoad Ferry leaving at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm or 6pm.

If the weather isn't suitable for Sunday March 16th, we have a backup plan of Sunday March 30th departing Queenscliff at 10am with connecting ferry from Sorrento departing at 9am.   We do recommend keeping both dates free in your diary.

Prices

• Adult $145
• ORCV Members $120  
• Group (8 or more in one purchase) $115 per person
• Family 2 Adults and 2 children (under 16) $300
• Extra children (aged 3 - 16) $50 per child
• Join the ORCV and learn more about the ORCV and enjoy benefits when completing training and racing.  

Overview

We conduct a regular, on-water practical tour of the entrance to Port Phillip . The ‘pincers’ of the two peninsulas are known collectively as The Heads and comprise of Point Lonsdale in the West and Point Nepean in the East. The Rip is the passage of water between these two points.

During the ORCV Rip Tour, very experienced offshore navigators and sailors provide expert commentary. This makes for an informative and enjoyable day for all yachties and their families. Since its beginning, the Rip Tour has grown in popularity with all manner of boaties, fishermen, historians, beach walkers, surfers and holiday makers alike, so come along and get set to enjoy a memorable day out on Port Phillip Bay. Please remember that this is an on-water, outdoor activity that is subject to weather conditions and sometimes postponements, so your co-operation and understanding is very much appreciated.

‘The Rip’ is the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay and the only access for shipping to the ports of both Melbourne and Geelong. More than 4,000 commercial vessels transit this gateway annually, where underwater reefs limit the navigable entrance to just 0.6 of a nautical mile.

This narrow entrance acts to restrict the tidal flow within the Bay, which holds some 25km3 of water therein and sets up a difference in the relative water levels between Port Phillip Bay and the Bass Strait. Consequently, the tides can run very fast in both directions and when you add some of the strong winds the area is famous for, it all brings about some very interesting and precarious conditions, where the tide can be up to six knots and the water can stack up to over a metre and sometimes three!

Ports Victoria is a Victorian Government authority that manages the safe transit of vessels into and out of Victoria’s commercial ports and is a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Authority. Lonsdale VTS monitors and facilitates the safe and efficient movement of shipping in the Southern end of Port Phillip Bay including Port Phillip Heads.  Ports Victoria may close the Heads for commercial shipping when conditions are unsuitable.

Outcomes

To provide for well planned and executed transits of Port Phillip’s Heads, with an emphasis on doing so in low-powered vessels (like yachts) and provide information to participants on the numerous navigational aids and strict procedures required for safe passages through.

• Knowledge of safety procedures
• Identification of navigational aids
• Familiarisation of the leads and use of safe water channels
• Understanding radio protocols
• Awareness of expected inbound and outbound traffic and obligations
• Confidence in traversing The Rip either during day or night with identification of leads and tidal flow
• Weather conditions and their effect on tidal streams

Rip Tour Content

Once all passengers have boarded, the instruction by experienced offshore navigators and yachtsmen will begin. This covers:

• Underwater topography
• Points of interest
• Major channel beacons, marks and navigational aids
• Traffic data and radio protocols
• Queenscliff lead lights and shipping channels
• Tides and tide signals
• Identification of safe conditions and/or dangers
• How to perform a correct and safe passage in both directions
• Pertinent historical facts and points of interest

From the instruction, you will learn about patterns in tidal flow, how to set up for safe transits of the Rip and experience the correct channel protocols in use. Favourable conditions will either be observed or described depending on the day, as well as learning how to anticipate and therefore avoid, dangerous situations.

You will also traverse the leads under Shortland Bluff and depending on tide and traffic, there may be the opportunity to venture seawards to view the effects of ‘The Rip’ before returning to returning to Port.

During the course, all participants will receive a copy of ORCV’s Rip Guide.

Qualifications

The ORCV requires the sailing master of any yacht entering an ORCV race for the first time to have demonstrated an understanding of navigation protocol at Port Phillip Heads, either from experience within the last six months or by completing this course.

Course Registration Information

This course is weather dependant and requires a minimum number of participants to go ahead.  If unsuitable conditions are forecast, registered participants will be notified by telephone (SMS) on the morning of the scheduled tour.

Bookings are essential, as there is a limit on the number of passengers the vessel can take.

We require one registration for each group, as this also allows us to inform all of you if there is a postponement due to weather or the like.

For your convenience, you can board from either side of the Bay in Sorrento or Queenscliff.  You must nominate which Boarding Location you would like to embark/disembark from when you register. The ORCV vessel will be departing on time, so please ensure you are ready to go, ahead of schedule.

Toilets and cafeteria are located onboard for your convenience.  Timing of the tour is critical including scheduled arrival at the Rip near Slack Water.  The ORCV will not be responsible for anyone who is not onboard by the scheduled departure times.

What to Bring

• Weather appropriate clothing including non-slip footwear
• Snacks and water
• Binoculars, notepads, Dictaphones and cameras are optional 
• Life jackets will be available on board

Course Presenters

Very experienced ORCV offshore navigators and sailors will provide not only commentary, and will also highlight points of interest, provide aide-mémoires and include any pertinent historical facts or points.

If you have a question, please contact us here