Related websites
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Gippsland Ports
Gippsland Ports have up to date information on the status of the Entrance Channel and Bar Crossing at Lakes Entrance on their website or phone 03 5150 0500. - Port Phillip Sea Pilots
The Port Phillip Sea Pilots website has pages giving general information on tides, currents and weather patterns and how they affect sea conditions in Port Phillip and its approaches.
Weather & tides
Before you go out on the water, always check the weather using a marine weather forecast. Land and general forecasts do not take into account wind speed over water, which is double that over land.
If you intend to be away for a day or two, obtain a long-range weather forecast. The weather can change suddenly and without warning.
While marine forecasts are almost always accurate when predicting major weather events, such as gales, they can be less accurate when predicting local changes of conditions.
Where can I check weather and tidal conditions?
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provide all the latest information required by boaters including weather conditions, tidal conditions and wind warnings.
BOM provide reports of:
- the four Victorian coastal waters zones, with the East Coast split into the East Gippsland and Central Gippsland zones
- marine wind warnings highlighting the most extreme conditions expected in each coastal or local waters area for the following 24 hour period
- separate forecast and warning services for local waters such as Port Phillip, Western Port and the Gippsland Lakes
Marine weather warnings
Marine weather warnings are issued by BOM. Any active warnings should be taken into account before embarking on a trip.
Active wind warnings have an impact on your requirement to wear a or lifejacket, also known as personal floatation device (PFD), if operating a vessel greater than 4.8m in length up to and including 12m in length. You can find more information about personal flotation devices on our website.
Occupants of vessels greater than 4.8m in length, up to and including 12m in length, are required to wear a PFD when operating in an area where BOM has issued a current:
- gale warning
- storm warning
- severe thunderstorm warning, or
- severe weather warning.
The Port of Melbourne Corporation website has information on waves, tides and weather conditions for Port Phillip and the Heads.
Weather webcams and stations
Below is a list of websites that provide webcams and weather stations.
- Frankston Yacht Club WeatherCam - on the Frankston Yacht Club website
- No.10 Beacon Hopetoun Channel Weather Station
- Patterson River Motor Boat Club
- Royal Brighton Yacht Club
- St Kilda Marina