"Fishing, sailing, diving, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and waterskiing… when it comes to water sports, Western Port is the perfect place to visit."

Taffy Evans, Bays Ranger, Western Port.

Western Port is a waterway which forms an extensive tidal bay covering 680 square kilometres. The Bunurong Aboriginal people lived in the area for tens of thousands of years, enjoying the range of shellfish, Mutton birds and plant life with which it abounds. Today, the area has a diverse range of experiences, satisfying both nature lovers and adventure seekers.

According to Taffy Evans, a Bays Ranger at Western Port, "it is the best training ground in the world for sailing and navigational training because the islands create a number of arms to the waters of Western Port. Tidal conditions and sand bars can challenge the boater, but with good chart, Western Port is a spectacular waterway to explore."

Sailing is a passion for many who live in the area, and Western Port Bay is dotted with yacht clubs. On race days, the yachts provide a spectacular display, with their white sails contrasting against the deep blue of the bay.

Whether you enjoy racing or a leisurely cruise, Western Port is a beautiful setting. Moor in the sheltered waters, close to shore and enjoy a feast of fresh local seafood. "There is also the option of catching your own lunch," says Taffy. "There are great fishing spots where you can cast a line."

There are three Marine National Parks inside Western Port; Yaringa, French Island and Churchill Island. They protect significant areas of mangrove, mudflat and saltmarsh which attract both marine species and water birds.

The seagrass beds around French Island are a nursery ground for fish such as whiting. While you can't fish in the marine protected areas, you can enjoy watching the vast display of birdlife including pelicans, Short-tailed Shearwater rookeries and a variety of migratory wader birds.

Western Port has a number of Ramsar sites, where migrating birds roost. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for the protection of wetlands around the world. Under this treaty, the ecological character of each site is to be maintained, to protect unique habitats for the thousands of birds which migrate here each year.

Taffy recommends canoeing up the inlets and around the mangroves to take in the beauty and serenity of this watery environment. "Moving silently along, you can hear only the lapping of the water against the paddle, and the birds calling in the nearby mangroves," he says.

For those who like it “up close and personal” there is great snorkeling and diving, particularly around Flinders where it is sometimes possible to see the Weedy Sea Dragon, Victoria's maritime emblem, along with schools of fish and seagrass beds, which move in concert with the tides.

"Surfing is also a popular sport here. From Flinders down to Pt Leo, and around Cat Bay, keen surfers ride the waves in all weather," say Taffy.

The two large islands which dominate Western Port; French Island and Phillip Island, each have special nature-based experiences.

A visit to Western Port would not be complete without a visit to Phillip Island, a place that for almost a century has been an icon tourist destination. It is famous for its colonies of Fairy Penguins. "At dusk," says Taffy, "you can watch the penguins make their way up the beach and return to their burrows in the sand dunes."

Walk along the boardwalk to the blowhole at The Nobbies and enjoy spectacular views along Phillip Island's rugged south coast. On the point is Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals.

At the gateway to Phillip Island is the fishing town of San Remo. Stop at the jetty at around 11am to see the popular pelican feeding. Fishing, daily charters and eco-tours also operate from the jetty.

Taffy says "stingrays of up to 1 ½ metres wide, also reside near here. They follow the current and travel into the warmer shallow water, often coming within feet of the shore."

For further information on Western Port please contact Parks Victoria info@parks.vic.gov.au or visit our website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.