Local Weather Forecast And Tidal Flow Information Surrounding
The Entrance Channel To The Gippsland Lakes

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
Marine and Ocean weather forecast​. ​Local Wind Forecast.

Gippsland Ports website​ (On Bullock Island near the channel entrance)
For real time wind, tidal flow information and webcam to the entrance.

• Seek local advice when possible.
• Understand wind strength and direction over water.
• Understand strong winds can cause small choppy conditions to react like larger waves.
• Know when low (ebb) tide and high (flood) tides are.
• Understand that during the slack tide – the time between low and high tides – there is no tidal flow.
• Slack tides can last up to twenty minutes.
• Understand tidal flow direction and the speed it peaks at.
• The entrance channel flow can reach up to four knots. Approx 7 kilometres per hour.
• Can you paddle faster than that and consider uneven conditions?
• If caught in a strong run out tidal flow paddle towards the side of the channel.
• Generally it is not as strong and can be a little smoother.
• If you cannot make head way decide if you need to exit the water. You may even have to abandon your craft and climb up onto the rock to save yourself.
• The channels narrowest point is between the two concrete walls at the ocean end. This is where the strongest tidal flow is and pressure waves can stand up to one metre and can be a metre apart.
• Paddlers with tidal flow experience can surf these waves- great fun.
• If you were to fall off your craft in this area hold onto it and remount it after the concrete wall in smoother waters. Current will still be following.
• If you cannot paddle against the current land your craft onto the beach.
• Watch out for the notorious Ninety Mile beach break.
• View the map of the entrance of the Gippsland Lakes at the bottom of this page.
• The red shaded area on the water surrounding the entrance and Bullock Island is generally the most difficult area to paddle. You need to be cautious when there is a strong run out tide.
• If you are not a confident and experience paddler in tidal flow conditions, consider relocating to safer conditions.. If not call it a day.
• Also keep in mind when paddling near any type of motor vessel. Stay away from their bow waves.
• In windy conditions you may not hear them approaching from behind you.
• Obey the Marine Safety Authority water ways ruling.
• View the Gippsland Ports Tide & Current Predications for Saturday 4th of May. Race day