Dive Sites
Rapid Bay Jetty
Overview:
Famed for it's Leafy Sea Dragon population this dive site consists of an old T shaped quarry jetty. Abandoned in 1991 it has become a haven for all sorts of aquatic life including 49 different species of fish. Extending 400 meters off shore this jetty provides plenty to see. The end of the jetty is a spectacular sight with many schools of fish calling the pylon rich T intersection of the jetty home. A new jetty shadows the old one and provides an purpose built entry point for divers roughly halfway along the old jetty where you can descend to around 8 meters.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Staircase with submerged platform at the end of the new jetty, 300 meter walk from the car park. NB SCUBA use trolleys to make the trek easier, the car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. Can be extremely busy on weekends/holidays, so if you want a close park get in early, no drinking water available, closest toilets are located at the Rapid Bay Campsite on the right just before you reach the jetty car park.
Average Depth:
8 - 12 meters.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 30 minutes south of Adelaide.
99 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Overview:
Famed for it's Leafy Sea Dragon population this dive site consists of an old T shaped quarry jetty. Abandoned in 1991 it has become a haven for all sorts of aquatic life including 49 different species of fish. Extending 400 meters off shore this jetty provides plenty to see. The end of the jetty is a spectacular sight with many schools of fish calling the pylon rich T intersection of the jetty home. A new jetty shadows the old one and provides an purpose built entry point for divers roughly halfway along the old jetty where you can descend to around 8 meters.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Staircase with submerged platform at the end of the new jetty, 300 meter walk from the car park. NB SCUBA use trolleys to make the trek easier, the car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. Can be extremely busy on weekends/holidays, so if you want a close park get in early, no drinking water available, closest toilets are located at the Rapid Bay Campsite on the right just before you reach the jetty car park.
Average Depth:
8 - 12 meters.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 30 minutes south of Adelaide.
99 kilometres south of Adelaide.
The Bluff
Overview:
Another great locale to find Leafies, this site consists of a rocky wall covered in kelp with plenty of nooks and crannies for aquatic life to inhabit.
Entry Details and Facilities:
You can either enter from the small beach on the road out to the wharf or descend down the ladder on the wharf itself, this can be challenging with a full kit of gear but saves a little bit of surface swimming. You can either descend near the wharf which is quite a shallow area or swim a little further around to the right and descend there. The car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. There are toilets 1.5 kilometres away on Franklin Parade, right turn as you exit The Bluff road then 150 metres after the first roundabout.
Average Depth:
10 meters
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 15 minutes south of Adelaide.
90 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Overview:
Another great locale to find Leafies, this site consists of a rocky wall covered in kelp with plenty of nooks and crannies for aquatic life to inhabit.
Entry Details and Facilities:
You can either enter from the small beach on the road out to the wharf or descend down the ladder on the wharf itself, this can be challenging with a full kit of gear but saves a little bit of surface swimming. You can either descend near the wharf which is quite a shallow area or swim a little further around to the right and descend there. The car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. There are toilets 1.5 kilometres away on Franklin Parade, right turn as you exit The Bluff road then 150 metres after the first roundabout.
Average Depth:
10 meters
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 15 minutes south of Adelaide.
90 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Second Valley
Overview:
This site is known for it's headland, coves and small caverns as well as an offshore reef (mentioned below). Leafies have been known to hang around the headland. Once you've traveled around the headland into the second cove you can explore the coast which has interesting geological features and a few small caverns. There is also a reef at compass bearing 30 degrees 200 metres from the beach.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Beach or jetty staircase with submerged platform (150 metre walk). Car park is sealed, can be extremely busy on weekends/holidays, so if you want a close park get in early, toilets are right next to the car park.
Average Depth:
10 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 20 minutes south of Adelaide.
91 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Overview:
This site is known for it's headland, coves and small caverns as well as an offshore reef (mentioned below). Leafies have been known to hang around the headland. Once you've traveled around the headland into the second cove you can explore the coast which has interesting geological features and a few small caverns. There is also a reef at compass bearing 30 degrees 200 metres from the beach.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Beach or jetty staircase with submerged platform (150 metre walk). Car park is sealed, can be extremely busy on weekends/holidays, so if you want a close park get in early, toilets are right next to the car park.
Average Depth:
10 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately an hour and 20 minutes south of Adelaide.
91 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Port Noarlunga Jetty
Overview:
This jetty runs straight out to a 1.2 kilometre long rocky reef which runs parallel to the coastline. There is plenty to see, the end of the jetty always has an abundance of fish life, the reef itself sports a multitude of life and the gap and outer reef are spectacular. An underwater trail has been laid down providing info about the reef and it's inhabitants.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Staircase with submerged platform at the end of the jetty, there is also a ladder halfway along or you can simply enter from the beach. It's a 450 metre walk from the car park to the end of the jetty, NB SCUBA use trolleys to make the trek easier. The main car park is sealed, several gear benches are right next to the car park, several drinking fountains and showers available, closest toilets are located down the stairs from the car park.
Depth:
8 - 20 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately 35 minutes south of Adelaide.
33 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Overview:
This jetty runs straight out to a 1.2 kilometre long rocky reef which runs parallel to the coastline. There is plenty to see, the end of the jetty always has an abundance of fish life, the reef itself sports a multitude of life and the gap and outer reef are spectacular. An underwater trail has been laid down providing info about the reef and it's inhabitants.
Entry Details and Facilities:
Staircase with submerged platform at the end of the jetty, there is also a ladder halfway along or you can simply enter from the beach. It's a 450 metre walk from the car park to the end of the jetty, NB SCUBA use trolleys to make the trek easier. The main car park is sealed, several gear benches are right next to the car park, several drinking fountains and showers available, closest toilets are located down the stairs from the car park.
Depth:
8 - 20 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Approximately 35 minutes south of Adelaide.
33 kilometres south of Adelaide.
EX HMAS HOBART
Overview:
A Perth class guided missile destroyer measuring 134 metres long and 25 metres tall, in service from 1965 to 2000. Hobart took part in the Vietnam war and was damaged by aircraft during a case of mistaken identity as well as being deployed during the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. Was sunk as a dive site 9 kilometres away from Marina St. Vincent in 2002. The boat sits upright in roughly 30 metres of water and has been prepared for divers with several large holes cut through the ship to enable easy navigation through the wreck.
Entry Details and Facilities:
The dive boat will depart from Marina St. Vincent, Wirrina Cove, a free permit from the SA government is required to dive this wreck. The car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. There is a cafe and toilet access right next to the car park. The wreck itself is marked with a large yellow buoy and several others that serve as mooring and decent lines.
Depth:
30 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Assuming the use of Wirrina boat ramp.
Approximately an hour and 25 minutes south of Adelaide.
90 kilometres south of Adelaide.
Overview:
A Perth class guided missile destroyer measuring 134 metres long and 25 metres tall, in service from 1965 to 2000. Hobart took part in the Vietnam war and was damaged by aircraft during a case of mistaken identity as well as being deployed during the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. Was sunk as a dive site 9 kilometres away from Marina St. Vincent in 2002. The boat sits upright in roughly 30 metres of water and has been prepared for divers with several large holes cut through the ship to enable easy navigation through the wreck.
Entry Details and Facilities:
The dive boat will depart from Marina St. Vincent, Wirrina Cove, a free permit from the SA government is required to dive this wreck. The car park is not sealed so NB SCUBA uses mats to avoid mess. There is a cafe and toilet access right next to the car park. The wreck itself is marked with a large yellow buoy and several others that serve as mooring and decent lines.
Depth:
30 metres.
Travel Time/Distance:
Assuming the use of Wirrina boat ramp.
Approximately an hour and 25 minutes south of Adelaide.
90 kilometres south of Adelaide.
