Image: Carl Charter
Environment SA’s 10 Top Spots to Snorkel in South Australia
South Australia’s marine parks are full to the brim with great spots to snorkel. Here are 10 places to try.
From leafy sea dragons to giant Australian cuttlefish, about 85 per cent of the marine life in South Australia’s marine parks is found nowhere else in the world. If your swimming skills are on point, grab your snorkel and mask and hit the beach to discover our magical underwater world.
Here are Environment SA’s top picks to try in SA:
1. PORT NOARLUNGA – Metropolitan South
Location: Encounter Marine Park
Beginners should try snorkelling on south side of the Port Noarlunga jetty. You’ll see hundreds of fish including zebrafish and old wives as well as sea stars.
If you feel confident enough to venture out further – about 400 metres – you can enjoy the colourful Port Noarlunga Reef.
Image: Greg Adams
2. ALDINGA – Metropolitan South
Location: Encounter Marine Park
Aldinga Reef is known as one of the state’s best dive sites, so you know you’re onto a good thing when you snorkel there. The reef is a breeding ground for the harmless Port Jackson shark. During late winter and spring hundreds of sharks can be found under ledges resting between mating rituals.
Don’t forget to build your confidence and test your snorkel gear at shallow sites before venturing out deeper.
3. SECOND VALLEY – Fleurieu Peninsula
Location: Encounter Marine Park
You’re spoilt for choice at Second Valley with a jetty and two bays that are great snorkel spots. You’ll swim past squid, schools of fish and rays, plus you might even spot SA’s iconic leafy sea dragon.
4. TUMBY BAY – Eyre Peninsula
Location: Sir Joseph Banks Group Marine Park
The open water off the jetty is a perfect spot for experienced snorkelers. Keep your eyes peeled for seahorses and cowfish.
5. SMOOTH POOL – Eyre Peninsula
Location: West Coast Bays Marine Park
According to locals, there is a friendly resident blue groper fish in these waters who likes to say hello. Blue gropers can live up to 70 years.
6. CUTTLEFISH COAST – Whyalla
Location: Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park
Snorkel near Stony Point between May and August and you’ll see the giant Australian cuttlefish spawning.
7. CHINAMAN’S HAT – Yorke Peninsula
Location: Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park
You’ll see eagle rays gliding around, as well as southern rock lobsters.
8. EDITHBURGH – Yorke Peninsula
Location: Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park
Weird and wild marine life surround the Edithburgh Jetty. You’re likely to come across brightly coloured nudibranchs, spider crabs and octopuses.
If you have the keenest eyes you might even spot the warty prowfish.
Image: Jamie Hicks
9. WOOL BAY – Yorke Peninsula
Location: Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park
The Wool Bay Jetty is possibly the best spot in South Australia to see the leafy sea dragon. During spring and summer you might even witness their amazing courting dance.
10. WESTERN RIVER COVE – Kangaroo Island
Location: Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park
Head to the reef just east of the beach for a variety of colourful reef fish.
To guarantee a great snorkel adventure, download the SA Marine ID Guide, avoid windy days and head to the waters around low tide.
Image & Information Source: Environment SA website
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Environment SA website.
What: Top 10 Spots to Snorkel in South Australia
When: Any time – avoid windy days and go around low tide
Where: Around South Australia – see locations above
Who: Snorkelers
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Environment SA website
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