St Kilda Boat Ramp

St Kilda Boat Ramp is part of the extensive St Kilda Marina complex.

As far as boat ramps go this one can vary in terms of quality.

Fundamentally this is a very good ramp.

However, a lack of ramp maintenance in the past, at times, means it’s not unheard of for algae to make the ramp so slippery that vehicles have on occasion slid right on into the water. Not such an issue for 4WDs.

St Kilda Boat Ramp Overview

St Kilda Boat Ramp For myself, I’ve never witnessed more than the expected algal growth and have found the ramp to be one of the better ones.

Car parking is extensive and ample for large boat trailers.

The marina area and ramp provide access to reasonably deep hulled larger boats.

So, as you might expect, it’s very popular during the summer snapper season.

The marina also offers protected launching and retrieval of your boat as well as year-round dry dock for small boats with the budget to cover it.

Good Snapper Grounds Access

In terms of access to Port Phillip Bay, it gives you good access to snapper grounds and reefs to the west, east and south of St Kilda.

Thus access to snapper feeding grounds is only a short boat ride, with plenty of catches of flathead, calamari, Australian salmon and other bay species.

It can get very busy. Though this is hardly surprising due to its size, ability to launch larger vessels and proximity to Melbourne.

So, launching during the snapper season means getting there early for most folks.

That and a mindset of calm and forbearance for other boaties. “Ramp rage” is a real thing – that’s ugly and spoils a great day out in your boat – and for others.

There’s a large service station next to the marina area.

This sells frozen bait, fuel etc. One of the few servos I’d recommend buying bait from, given its huge product turnover.

St Kilda Boat Ramp – Fish Species To Target

Fish Species	Quick Info
Australian Salmon Arripis trutta	Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Snapper Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Pinky Snapper (Juvenile Snapper) Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Calamari Sepioteuthis australis	Known commonly as Squid or Calamari. Best fished when waters are clear with little turbulence. Top times can be during June to September. Bait: Fish mounted on squid bait jigs
Flathead Platycephalus sp	But much more prevalent during warmer months.. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Mullet Mugilidae sp	Can sometimes be the only game in town during cooler weather. Bait: luebait, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Squid Tentacles
Southern Black Bream Acanthopagrus butcheri	Can become less active during Winter. Activity picking up in late August. Active during warmer months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait
Gummy Shark Mustelus antarcticus	Larger species are caught in Port Phillip & Western Port during April to July. With the Peak Month considered too be May. Bait: Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Pilchards, Squid, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whiting Fillets
Whiting Sp	Generic Name for a number of Whiting Species found in Australia. Bait:

St Kilda Boat Ramp – Review Summary

While most of the facilities at this boat ramp are pretty good I was pretty put off by the state of the public toilets on the occasions I’ve visited.

Pretty bad – and that’s saying something compared to other Melbourne Boat Ramps that are generally a bit suspect.

The boat ramp, however, is excellent overall. Though it can get a bit slimy at times. More of a problem for front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles. So be cautious.

Pros

• Close to Melbourne
• Two to three boats can launch at a time
• Extensive Docking Area
• Calm Launching Conditions
• Free Trailer Parking
• Public Toilets
• Access Port Phillip Bay

Cons

• Limited Trailer Parking Bays During Peak Season
• Can be crazy busy during summer
• Toilets (in the area) can be literally overflowing at times
• The ramp can be slippy on occasion. Take care with regards to sliding.