Safe Wave Height Boating Port Phillip Bay & Western Port Bay

September 25, 2020 by Dave

Every year people have close calls, or even capsize, on Port Phillip Bay in their boat. Sometimes lives are lost. Hence this Port Phillip Bay Wave Heights Safe Boating guide is offered as a heads-up before you venture out. Note it is only a guide. Nobody can know your specific boat or how it handles. Always leave a margin of safety. Port Phillip Bay is notorious for sudden weather changes, quick squalls and some very extreme conditions.

Safe Wave Height knowledge for your small boat is needed before you even consider venturing out. Every year people have close calls, or even capsize, on Port Phillip Bay in their boat. Sometimes lives are lost. Hence this Port Phillip Bay Wave Heights Safe Boating guide is offered as a heads-up before you venture out.

Note it is only a guide. Nobody can know your specific boat or how it handles. Always leave a margin of safety. Port Phillip Bay is notorious for sudden weather changes, quick squalls and some very extreme conditions.

Check the BOM Meteye webpage. Subscribe and stay up-to-date with weather alerts and broadcasts. Consider a marine radio. Don’t take unnecessary risks or overestimate your boat or your skills.

Remember to ensure you are carrying the required safety gear in working condition. You can find out more about the legal safety equipment here.

Table of Contents

1. Forecasted Safe Wave Height Caution

2. Boats 3.5m (12 feet)

3. Boats 4.3m (14.1 feet)

4. Boats 5 metres (16.4 feet)

5. Boats 6 metres (19 Feet)

6. Download Wave Height Guide

7. Download Safety Fact Sheet

8. Lifejacket Videos

9. Safe Boat Wave Height Table

Forecasted Safe Wave Height Caution

It’s easy, as a beginner, to underestimate wave heights:

A 1-meter wave can swamp a small boat.
The distance between waves is critical too.
Also always keep in mind that forecasted winds and waves are an average.
Winds can be 40% higher than forecasted and wave heights will increase accordingly.
Port Phillip Bay conditions can change suddenly, sometimes with little warning.
Port Phillip Bay water temperature can kill, very quickly, between March & November.
Limit hypothermia. Dress for possible immersion. Wear correctly rated clothing. Not wool or cotton.
Carry and monitor phone or radio for weather warnings.
Carry an EPRB or PLB.

Life Jackets – They Are The Law

Note – a point that cannot be emphasised enough. Wearing a properly rated lifejacket* is not optional on most small vessels. It’s the law. Only a complete fool ventures out in a small craft without a lifejacket.

Check the Victorian legal requirements to find out what your boat requires here.

Keep in mind that Port Phillip Bay, in particular, has more in common to a large shallow lake than a traditional “bay.” This is due to the very narrow neck (Port Phillip Heads) and that fact that it is a drowned estuary. The Yarra channel ran to the heads, by some accounts less than 8000 years ago. Flooding possibly after a storm surge damaging the area where the heads are now. This is why it is both shallow and narrow at the entrance to the Bass Strait.

These conditions make for dangerous boating at times and is why a great deal of care and attention to forecasts must be undertaken.

Boats 3.5m (12 feet)

Wave Height 1.0 meters & Above

Dangerous. At this wave height, you’re going to struggle in a boat of this size. Combine this with a strong on-shore wind and getting back to the ramp is going to be extremely difficult. Water is going to come on board – a lot of water!

This is considered the maximum safe limit for a boat of this size and leaves no room for an unexpected peak wave that are common enough on Port Phillip Bay to be a concern.

Don’t risk it. No fish is worth your life!

Waves 0.8 meters & Above

Potentially Dangerous. Your speed will need to be reduced significantly in order to be safe. Water is going to come on board at this height. You will need to take the utmost care. Keep in mind some peak waves may be over one meter in these conditions.

Take winds into consideration. Especially on-shore winds as these can make returning back to the ramp more difficult.

I wouldn’t risk it. In these conditions stick to estuaries, inland lakes and streams.

Waves 0.5 meters

Caution Required. At 0.5m you are still going to have to proceed at slower speeds. You will experience some pounding on the hull.

Other than peak waves water shouldn’t come on board – but this will depend on your vessel. Some spray may occur.

Keep an eye out for strong on-shore winds. These can make returning back to the boat ramp more difficult.

I still am hesitant taking a craft this size out on Port Phillip or Western Port Bay in these conditions.

Waves 0.2 metres

Ideal Conditions. Waves will gently patter upon the hull. Water should not come on board. No spray should be present.

This should present pretty comfortable conditions for a boat of this size.

Keep an eye out for weather changes – and plan to be off the water before a change comes through.

Remember the golden rule. Wave heights often peak above the forecast and conditions can change rapidly. Often in minutes. A Safe Wave Height can change suddenly. Do not get complacent.

Boats 4.3m (14.1 feet)

Waves 1.5 metres & Above

Dangerous. You are going to really have to be very experienced to even consider taking a boat of this size out in these conditions.

There’s going to be a lot of water thrown aboard, much of it heavy.

Take it really slow.

Waves 1.2 metres & Above

Dangerous. Make sure you pull that throttle right off. Slow and steady. You’re going to get wet because there’s going to be lots of spray coming in.

Really scary – rightly fully so – for average boaties.

Waves 1.0 metres

Caution, Dangerous. You’re going to get water on the deck. A fair bit of spray. Keep the speed down. Keep an eye on the onshore winds.

Not really suitable for newbies or weekend warrior fishos.

Waves 0.8 metres

Caution. You should keep your speed reduced.

There’s going to be some pounding on the hull.

Some spray is going to be taken aboard your boat.

0.5 metres Waves

Good Conditions. You should be able to use maximum safe speed with only slight bumps being felt.

Most spray should be thrown clear of your boat.

This is good, reasonably comfortable conditions for a vessel this size.

As always, keep an eye on the weather bulletins and updates.

Waves 0.2 metres

Ideal Conditions. Spray shouldn’t be there to bother you, just a gentle patter of water on your hull.

Pretty close to perfect conditions. Great to be out on your boat!

Keep an eye on the weather updates, make sure no changes are expected.

Boats 5 metres (16.4 feet)

Waves 1.8 metres

Dangerous. This is the limit considered safe to operate a vessel this size with passenger comfort.

Experienced master advised. Keep in mind wave swells on Port Phillip Bay can be higher than the forecast average.

Waves 1.5 metres

Potentially Dangerous. Tackle each wave individually while steering, using throttle at all times is best.

Expect lots of spray and some waves can be expected to break over the deck.

An active eye on forecast bulletins is advised.

Waves 1.2 metres

Caution. Keep your speed down to slow speeds.

Expect a lot of spray on board with waves breaking over decks.

Waves 1.0 metres

Caution. Keep at or below half-speed.

Expect some spray and green seas to come aboard.

Keep alert and aware of forecast bulletins.

Waves 0.8 metres

Fair Conditions. Keep the speed down is best.

You will experience some moderate pounding on the hull.

Possibly some spray.

Waves 0.5 metres

Good Conditions. Set throttle for cruising.

There’ll be some slight bumps.

Most of the spray will be thrown clear

Waves 0.2 metres

Excellent Conditions. Like sitting in an armchair.

Next to perfect conditions.

As always keep an eye on forecast broadcasts.

Otherwise, enjoy smooth sailing!

Boats 6 metres (19 Feet)

Waves 2.0 metres & Above

Dangerous. Keep it slow and steady.

Recommended for experienced boaties only.

You’re going to get some water breaking onto the decks at times.

Waves 1.8 metres

Caution. Keep the speed down.

Tackle waves individually.

You are going to cop a lot of spray.

There’s going to be water over your foredeck.

Waves 1.5 metres

Caution. Keep the speed down.

Tackle waves individually.

Lots of Spray.

Water on your foredeck.

Waves 1.2 metres

Caution. Keep speed to half.

You’re going to get a fair bit of spray.

Some water on your foredeck.

Waves 1.0 metres

Fair Conditions. Slightly reduce your speed.

You’re going to get some spray over the aft end of your vessel.

Waves 0.8 metres

Fair Conditions. Keep speeds down.

Some pounding on your hull is going to be experienced.

Waves 0.5 metres

Excellent Conditions. Maximum cruising speed on your throttle.

You’ll probably experience some slight pounding on your hull.

Waves 0.2 metres

Perfect Conditions. Things feel awesome.

Smooth ride.

Almost “glass” conditions.

Download Wave Height Guide

Download Wave Height Guide

Download Safety Fact Sheet

Download Safety Fact Sheet

Lifejacket Videos

Safe Boat Wave Height Table

Wave Height In Meters	Boats 3.5m (12 Feet)	Boats 4.3m (14.1 feet)	Boats 5m (16.4 feet)	Boats 6m (19 feet)
2 Meters	NEVER	NEVER	NEVER	DANGEROUS
1.8 Meters	NEVER	NEVER	NEVER	CAUTION
1.5 Meters	NEVER	DANGEROUS	DANGEROUS	CAUTION
1.2 Meters	NEVER	DANGEROUS	CAUTION	CAUTION
1 Meters	DANGEROUS	CAUTION	CAUTION	SAFE
0.8 Meters	DANGEROUS	CAUTION	SAFE	SAFE
0.5 Meters	CAUTION	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE
0.2 Meters	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE

About Dave

G'day!

I'm Dave, I live and fish in and around Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
When it comes to fishing I love going out to land-based fishing spots, heading out in the tinny (aka an Aluminum Boat) and kayak fishing.

I've been fishing since I was a teen. Beginning way back in the 1970s. It was a hobby I picked up myself as my family certainly had no interest. Making me the black sheep! My favourite fish is Flathead and Snapper. Though I'm partial to Flake (Gummy Shark) and Calamari too! While I enjoy fishing for freshwater species like Redfin and Murray Cod I prefer eating saltwater species. They're just so mouth-wateringly tasty!

I love writing about some of my favourite Melbourne Fishing Spots while fishing around Victoria. As well as the tackle I use and test.
If you see me while you're out fishing say "G' day" - I'll be the one in a bush hat.

When I'm not fishing I'm working on my websites, such as Getfished, or writing computer software (my profession.)

I try to be as accurate as possible on this website. Most of the information is based on personal experience. However, if you spot an error or think there's something that I should add - no worries! Please use the Contact Form.