Activity Programs - Marine Education Field Activities
Bayplay Marine Education Program
The Bayplay Marine Education Program focuses on educating students on the bay,
the marine life and the history of the area using reference material, maps and instructor/guide knowledge, plus our own in house Marine Education Handbook.
The Diving, Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking experience is about empowering students with knowledge about the conditions and natural environment in which they are going to experience. Bayplay offers a series of multi media presentations as part of the product range. These presentations explain the unique underwater flora and fauna to students who can then associate the images with the creatures/environments they are visiting whilst diving, snorkeling or kayaking.
Bayplay Adventure Tours is accredited by the Better Business Tourism Accreditation Program as well as being a multi award winning business as seen by the recent acknowledgements:
Finalist of 2006 Australian Tourism Awards - Adventure Tourism Category
Winner of 2006 Victorian State Tourism Awards - Adventure Tourism Category
Finalist of 2005 Australian Tourism Awards - Adventure Tourism Category
Winner of 2005 Victorian State Tourism Awards - Adventure Tourism Category
Winner of 2004/05 Mornington Peninsula Business Awards - Environmentally Sustainable Business Award
Finalist in 2004 Victorian Tourism Awards - Adventure Tourism
Winner of 2003/04 Mornington Peninsula Business Awards - Outstanding Innovation Award
Activity Goals
During the course of the activities, we seek to achieve the following outcomes:
- To learn about the plants and animals within different ecosystems
- To understand the components and factors that affect how ecosystems function
- To learn about the ways humans affect the surrounding environment
- To become informed and involved members of the community
- To engage in positive learning and social experience beyond the classroom
- To have fun!
Prices are tailored to the group requirements, so please call for a quote. The following are a range of half and full day programs avaialble to schools and groups.
| Program Options | Locations |
| Snorkel With Sea Dragons | |
| Discover the diverse marine ecosystem that we have come to treasure. Learn the basics of snorkeling under guided tuition from our Instructors. Explore the wonders of our Sea Dragon Colony and see some of the most amazing soft corals, sponge life and marine organisms in the world. Discover Snorkeling and discover a world where Sea Dragons roam. |
Portsea Flinders |
| Snorkel Ricketts Point Marine Park | |
| Discover the diverse marine ecosystem that we have come to treasure. Learn the basics of snorkeling under guided tuition from our Instructors. Explore the wonders of our Sea Dragon Colony and see some of the most amazing soft corals, sponge life and marine organisms in the world. Discover Snorkeling and discover a world where Sea Dragons roam. |
Ricketts Point Marine Park, Beaumaris |
| Snorkel Popes Eye Marine Park & Seals | |
| Enjoy a short boat ride out to Popes Eye, our spectacular Marine Reserve. Popes Eye is one of the smallest marine reserves in Australia. Although small in size, it is packed full of marine life. Originally built in the late 1800’s to be an island fort to defend the Port of Melbourne against the Russians. It is now a ring of rocks, which is a sanctuary for many species of marine life including fish, birds and seals. The rocks of Popes Eye form a natural barrier against the current which makes it easy to snorkel/dive in most conditions. Following Popes Eye, we head out to take a dip with some very playful and energetic seals. |
Popes Eye Marine Park - Port Phillip Bay |
| Introduction to Scuba Diving | |
| Learn to Scuba Dive in confined water with a Pool & School Session only or spend the whole day and join on a Dive with the Dragons. No certification is required. Located at the end of the Mornington Peninsula, Portsea is the home of Victorian Diving. Portsea Pier is the site of most diver training, and is a great beginners dive. To the left of the pier is a reef system, which is a great example of a temperate reef. Creatures such as sea dragons, sting rays and nudibranchs can all be seen under the pier. Includes: Scuba Dive Instruction, Equipment Hire & Airfills, Pool, Open Water Dive |
Full or Half Day Options Portsea, Rye, Mornington, Ricketts Point |
| PADI Open Water Course | |
| Successful completion of the PADI Open Water Course qualifies you to dive independently to a depth of 18 meters in unconfined waters. Completing the course will allow you to explore the underwater world, discovering amazing and diverse marine life. Includes: Scuba Dive Instruction, Equipment Hire & Air fills, Pool & Shower usage, Open Water Certificate, 3 Shore Dives and 1 Boat Dive, Dive Manuel. |
4 Day Open Water Course - Bayplay Dive Resort - Blairgowrie or eLearning options online |
| Sea Kayaking Marine Park Coastline Tour | |
| Discover the Port Phillip Bay coastline and become familiar with the Kayaks in an easy to paddle environment. Penguins and Dolphins are seen on a regular basis, as is a wide range of unique bird life. View the hilltop mansions of Portsea and Sorrento. Learn about the local history and early settlers. The trip is around 10kms with a beach stop along the way. |
Port Phillip Bay Marine Park, Portsea |
| Sea Kayak Mangroves | |
| Explore the mangroves from the water using Kayaks. Students will take a close look at the way mangroves grow and adapt and see many human influences that affect the mangroves that are living in Western Port Bay. (More information Refer to Environment Program Booklet - Page 12-15 ) |
Hastings, Westernport Bay |
| Rock Pool Ramble | |
| Why the Rocky are shores special. Learn about plants and animals such as seaweeds, anemones, sea stars living within the rocky shore on a guided interpretive tour of rock pools. |
Sorrento, Bushrangers Bay, Ricketts Point |
| Beach Games/Orienteering | |
| A great way for groups or teams to get to know one another as well as stretch the boundaries with initiative games. |
Any Location |
| Bushwalking Adventure | |
| Explore the Mornington Peninsula National Park on a guided walk. |
Mornington Peninsula |
| Cycling and Bush walking Adventure | |
| Explore the tunnels and forts at Point Nepean Nepean National Park by foot, by bike or on board the Tractor Transporter. See views of Port Phillip Bay, Bass Strait and the Great Ocean Road and see where the first shots were fired during World War I and II. |
Point Nepean |
| Multi Media Presentations | |
| Bayplay have a range of interactive powerpoint presentations that are able to be linked to the activity ie sea dragon snorkel tour has a matching presentation to teach the students about the environment before they participate in the activity. Please ask for more information. |
On Site or on location |
Kayak Skills
Kayak Tour
Kayak to the Mangroves
Snorkel Training - Reefwatch Briefing
Ready to Get Wet!
Lets Seach for Sea Dragons