Scuba Diving in South Australia.Scuba diving in South Australia offers clean, uncrowded and temperate waters, among the most biologically diverse in the world and there are plenty of sites for both experienced divers and beginners to explore. Dive with giant cuttlefish off the coast of Whyalla, Great White sharks near Port Lincoln, and the rare leafy sea dragon off Kangaroo Island and Fleurieu Peninsula.
The jewel in the scuba diving in South Australia crown however is the Fleurieu Reef, an hour south of Adelaide, and which features the scuttled ex-HMAS Hobart. There are more than 700 shipwrecks along South Australia's coastline, many of which are open to divers. Adelaide's Underwater Heritage Trail on Gulf St Vincent links four of the most historic wrecks: the Grecian, the Zanoni, Star of Greece and Norma, all of which sank between 1841 and 1893. In January 1627 Dutch Explorer Pieter Nuyts recorded the first European sighting of the South Australian coast, a group of 20 islands now called Nuyts Archipelago. Nuyts Archipelago is a scuba divers paradise, a collection of unspoilt islands and reefs on the far west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. The low flat islands extend underwater to shallow rocks covered with diverse and abundant algal communities with seagrasses in sheltered bays.
Coral and sponges are also visible in the crystal clear water. When you're scuba diving in South Australia Lacey and Evans islands present the most spectacular dives while St Francis Island Group is best for more adventurous divers. Part of the passage of water between Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula known as the Investigator Strait, The Troubridge Shoals hug the Yorke Peninsula and have been the official cause of at least 35 wrecks and countless groundings. In 1850 alone seven vessels ran aground in an eight-month period. The reefs surrounding Troubridge Island, part of the Shoals, are home to six of the region's earliest sailing vessels: Dart (1838), Parsee (1838), Sultana (1849), Marion (1851), Charles Carter (1854) and Iron King (1873). Troubridge Shoals are also home for magnificent giant spider crabs that claw their way over reefs covered in sponges. The whole area is a delight for divers and underwater photographers because of the diversity of marine life in the area. The safest and most accessible recommended wreck dives are the Iron King and Marion while Troubridge Island is also an interesting area for divers.
As the Troubridge Shoals occasionally present treacherous conditions, they are recommended for experienced divers only.The scuttling of ex-HMAS Hobart in late 2002 created The Fleurieu Reef, and is one of Australia's premier scuba diving attractions. Unlike many other naval wrecks, the majority of the ship remains fully intact so divers can explore the engine rooms, mess decks, smoke stacks, missile launchers, gun turrets and bridge area. The artificial reef is just a 10-minute boat ride from Marina St Vincent on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 protects the reef and surrounding environment and divers wishing to dive on the wreck require a permit. For further information or permit applications refer to the ex HMAS Hobart website. When you go Scuba Diving in South Australia....enjoy, John. Visit here for a comprehensive list of wonderful dive sites in South Australia. Our RSS feed will be updated periodically with all the latest travel deals and special offers. Please subscribe by clicking the button to the left (XML/RSS) to receive notice of these updates without any risk or obligation. PLEASE NOTE: If you don't know what an RSS feed is just click this link. Click here to return from Scuba Diving in South Australia to The Discount Travel Guide home page. |
There are many small caves containing an exciting array of soft corals and gorgonians and the islands are home to a world of marine life including Blue Devilfish, Harlequin Fish, Sweep, Southern Rock Lobster, Abalone, Blue Groper and Bottlenose Dolphins.