Weedy Seadragon Melbourne | Where to Freedive with Victoria's Marine Emblem

About Weedy Seadragons

The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is Victoria's official marine emblem. These remarkable fish are related to seahorses and can grow up to 45cm long. They're found only in the temperate waters of southern Australia, making Melbourne one of the best places in the world to see them.

Weedy seadragons are masters of camouflage, with leaf-like appendages that help them blend into seaweed and kelp. Unlike seahorses, they cannot grip with their tails and drift with the currents.

Where to See Them

Port Phillip Bay and Western Port are home to significant seadragon populations. The best locations include:

Flinders Pier

Perhaps the most famous seadragon spot in Australia. Flinders Pier was featured in BBC's Blue Planet II documentary. The pylons and nearby seagrass beds provide excellent habitat.

Portsea Pier

Another excellent location with good visibility and healthy seadragon population. The kelp forests around the pier are prime habitat.

Rye Pier

A more accessible location that's great for beginners. Seadragons can be found around the pier pylons and adjacent seagrass.

Blairgowrie Pier

Known for diverse marine life including seadragons. The marina area also holds good populations.

Best Times of Year

Seadragons can be seen year-round, but certain times offer special opportunities:

Winter (June-August) — Breeding season when males carry eggs on their tails
Spring (September-November) — Eggs hatch, juveniles may be spotted
Year-round — Adults are present throughout the year

Water visibility is often best in autumn and early winter before winter storms.

Freediving Tips for Seadragon Encounters

Move slowly — Seadragons are easily spooked by sudden movements
Look carefully — Their camouflage is excellent; scan seaweed and kelp slowly
Stay low — Approach at their level, not from above
Give space — Maintain at least 1-2 meters distance
No touching — Never touch or chase seadragons
Watch your fins — Avoid kicking up sediment or damaging habitat
Be patient — Spend time in one area rather than rushing around

Conservation Status and Protection

Weedy seadragons are fully protected in Victoria. It is illegal to:

Catch, harm, or harass seadragons
Remove them from the water
Possess seadragons or their parts

Populations face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. As freedivers, we can help by:

Reporting sightings to citizen science programs
Avoiding damage to seagrass and kelp habitat
Supporting marine conservation efforts

How to Help: VNPA Dragon Quest

The Victorian National Parks Association runs Dragon Quest — a citizen science program tracking weedy seadragon populations in Port Phillip and Western Port bays.

If you photograph a seadragon while freediving, you can submit your images to help researchers:

Identify individual seadragons by their unique markings
Track population numbers and distribution
Monitor population health over time
Understand breeding patterns and habitat use

Photography Tips

If you want to photograph seadragons for Dragon Quest or personal records:

Capture both sides — Individual ID requires photos of both flanks
Get close-ups of the head — Facial markings are unique identifiers
Include location data — Note exactly where you saw the seadragon
Avoid flash — Use natural light when possible
Multiple shots — Take several photos to ensure you have clear images

Blue Planet II Connection

Melbourne's seadragons gained international fame when BBC's Blue Planet II filmed mating behavior at Flinders Pier. The footage showed male seadragons receiving eggs from females and carrying them until hatching — a process that takes about eight weeks.

This documentary brought global attention to Victoria's incredible marine life and the importance of protecting these waters.

Freediving with Weedy Seadragons in Melbourne