Reef

Glenelg Tyre Reef Rating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 10kms from Adelaide

Accessible only by boat, the Glenelg Tyre Reef is a series of Tyre tetrahedrons set down as an artificial reef. This artificial reef was first submerged in 1983 5kms west of Glenelg, 500m south east of the Barge in 18m of water. After 25 years of submersion the Glenelg Tyre Reef has become a successful fish breeding ground with large quantities of whiting, bullseyes, strong fish, silver drummer, old wives and spider crabs, so there is always something to see!

The main hazard is getting regulators or gauges caught in the tyre straps. It is also a popular fishing spot so be aware of boat traffic, hooks and lures and falling anchors. Recommended bottom time 35 mins. Top

Mac's GroundRating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 5kms west Adelaide

Mac's ground is a small reef 4.5km west of Glenelg in 17m of water. It is part of the old coastline and is approx 1 metre high lying in an east/west direction. The reef is about 150m long and has numerous overhangs and small caves, which are now home to many squid and cuttlefish. Other fishlife commonly seen on this reef include blue devils, silver drummer, strongies, old wives, leather jackets and spider crabs and whiting in the winter. There are always plenty of fish at this site which always makes for a great dive. There are no hazards to mention at this site and we give a recommended bottom time of 40mins. Top

Seacliff ReefRating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 10kms southwest from Adelaide

To many divers this is a favourite local dive site due to the abundance of fish life and relatively shallow depth. Seacliff reef is part of the old shoreline from about 10,000 years ago (also includes Milkies, Northern outer Reef, Broken Bottom and Mac's Ground). It is approx 1 metre high off the sand and travels in a north/south direction forming a half moon shape and is home to literally thousands of fish. Boasting the largest number of blue devils in the Metropolitan area, a whole dive can easily be taken up by sitting on the bottom and feeding the fish, without having to move more than a few metres. In numerous places along the reef, the rare and beautiful Leafy Sea Dragons can be spotted.

The depth varies from approx 12 – 15m with only the usual hazards to watch out for. We give a recommended bottom time of 45mins. Top

Leather Jacket AlleyRating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 2.5kms west from Adelaide

Commonly known as Leather Jacket Alley because of the many resident Leather Jackets the reef is in approx 10m of water and consists of a series of naturally formed gutters inhabited by a wide variety of fish and aquatic flora including sea tulips. The fish can be hand fed and on occasion's great schools of sea pike visit the area, forming a seemingly impenetrable wall of fish which is quite spectacular to see. We give a recommended bottom time of 50-55mins. Top

Milkies ReefRating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 10kms from Adelaide

Named after the finder who was a milkman, Milkies is a reef running north/south 4.5km south west of Glenelg in 17m of water. Spider crabs abound and there are numerous blue devils, cuttlefish, strongies, silver drummer and the occasional crayfish. At times it is the best local dive around because very few divers visit here and there is a huge variety of fish life. There are no hazards to mention except strong currents and has a recommended bottom time of 40mins. Top

Broken BottomRating: Novice

Location: Glenelg 5kms west from Adelaide

A series of naturally formed rock piles spread out over a 2.5km area north west of Glenelg in 10m of water. Fish life is sparse to prolific with no set pattern. If fish life is sparse you can investigate the rock piles, sea tulips and razor shells. The colours of the sponges and flora are exceptional. At other times the whole dive can be taken up swimming amongst vast schools of sea pike and silver drummer. Many spider crabs inhabit the area as well as the occasional large ray and flat head. Recommended bottom time 50-55mins. Top

Northern Outer ReefRating: Novice

Location: Southwest from Glenelg about 9km

Another part of the old shoreline of South Australia, Northern Outer runs in a north/south direction and sits in 18m of water. Expect to see vast amounts of large sea sponges as well as the usual marine creatures. It also seems to be a breeding ground for blue devils, as there seems to be many young ones around. It is about 100m long but you can get some good bottom time looking under ledges and small overhangs. Recommended bottom time of 35mins. Top

The BlocksRating: Novice if clear

Location: 1 km west of Glenelg

The Blocks is a relatively shallow dive straight out from Glenelg. If you are fit enough you can snorkel out there, but we suggest going by boat. The blocks are part of the old Glenelg Jetty and break water that washed away in a storm in the early 1920s. Made up of a series of large concrete blocks, with a depth of approx. 6-8m, it makes a great easy dive. Expect to see large varieties of marine life including many resident Wobbegong sharks. The dive can be limited in visibility because of its proximity to the Patawalonga outlet, but on a clear day can make an awesome dive. Recommended bottom dive really depends air consumption but we suggest 100mins. Top

Grange Tyre ReefRating: Novice

Location: 4kms off West Beach

One of the better men made reefs along the coast; Grange Tyre Reef is made up of a series of squares of old tyres laid down by the Fisheries Dept in the 1970's. The tyres lay in 15m of water and have separated over the years spreading over a large area.

If dropped in the right spot, the fish life is prolific around the sections that are still together, and although quite hard to find, there is one section still in tact where most of the fish are. Expect to see Old wives, strongies, Leather Jackets, Cuttlefish and occasionally blue devils and even Wobbegong Sharks. Top

Noarlunga Tyre ReefRating: Novice

Location: 25km South of Adelaide

This tyre reef lies 2.5km west of Port Noarlunga Jetty in 18m of water. An artificial reef set up to attract fish for breeding purposes. The tyres have spread out across the sea floor, but are still a pleasant dive. There are no hazards to mention and has a recommended bottom time of 35mins. Top

Aldinga Drop OffRating: Novice

Location: 45km south of Adelaide

The Aldinga drop off is the edge of Aldinga reef lying 1.5kms off the Aldinga beach. The reef drops away to 21m creating a spectacular dive with a lot of over hangs hiding soft corals and many fish. The drop off is where the big schools of snapper stay when traveling north to their breeding grounds. When the snapper are running it is recommended not to dive here as the occasional white pointer sometimes follows the snapper school. This is where Rodney Fox had his encounter with a shark, although this is a spectacular dive, it is best to be cautious. Top

Aldinga PinnaclesRating: Novice

Location: 45km south of Adelaide

Part of the Aldinga reef system closer than the drop off. Spectacular dive with plenty of swim through overhangs and fish life. The dive is only 8m so an extended time can be spent exploring the reef system, the overhangs and the occasional cave. Visibility is generally very good and swimming among rock pinnacles extending from the sea floor to just beneath the surface of the sea is very different to other SA dives. A great dive with no hazards and a recommended bottom time of 60mins. Top

Rapid HeadRating: Novice

Location: 95km south of Adelaide

Access to this site is by beach launch at Rapid Bay or boat ramp from Sunset Cove Marina. Great reefs and caves with plenty of sea grass camouflaging a vast array of marine life. A large variety of fish including leafy sea dragons, blue devils and the occasional Crayfish frequent the area. Top

West Island - Victor HarbourRating: Advanced

Location: 1 hour south of Adelaide

The island is a research station so the west side is off limits, but expect to see soft corals, sponges, reefs, seals, crayfish, as well as leafy sea dragons and penguins. From May to September it is possible to see Southern Right Whales. Depth ranges from 20-30m, with great snorkeling on good days. Top

Lasseter's Reef - Second ValleyRating: Novice to Advanced

Location: 90km south of Adelaide

Enter off the beach at Second Valley, head north from the centre of the beach for approx 300m. It is a 50m-diameter dome shaped reef. The reef hosts a wide range of residents including the illusive Leafy Sea Dragon. The site is very exposed and not diveable in a big swell. Other shore dives in the area are behind the boat sheds and some small caves west of the sheds. The jetty is used extensively as an open water training site. Top

The Bluff - Victor HarbourRating: Novice to Advanced

Location: 1 hour south of Adelaide

The bluff is 5km west of the town centre of Victor Harbour. Entrance from small jetty near the Bluff, be aware that it is quite shallow so do not attempt a giant stride from the top! Expect a enormous variety of fish, crayfish, cuttlefish, seals and weedy sea dragons. Caution, there can be tricky currents even on calm days and large waves can appear out of nowhere. Depth ranges from 4m to 40m. Top

Blowhole Creek - Deep CreekRating: Advanced and you need to be reasonably fit.

Location: 90 min south of Adelaide

This site is in Deep Creek Conservation Park 80kms south of Adelaide and is only accessible by four-wheel drive. You need to follow the signs through the park down the dirt road to the car park. Four wheel drive only from car park down a very steep track to the end. Follow the steep path several hundred metres to a\small beach. Entry is anywhere from the beach to this beautiful un-spoilt sight. It is teeming with life, crayfish galore, seals and sea dragons. You do have to watch for heavy current and freak waves and it is strongly advised you dive with someone who knows the area - at least first. Top