EDITHBURGH JETTY
Edithburgh, South Australia
Type of dive: Jetty
Access: Shore
Minimum qualification: Open Water
Depth: 3-10 metres (10-30’)
Visibility: 5-15 metres (20-60’)
Water temperature: 18°C (65°F) – 21°C (70°F)
Best time to visit: October – May
Snorkelling: Yes, a kaleidoscope of colour!
Edithburgh Jetty is an underwater photographers dream, and at night it really reveals its secrets!
South Australia’s capital city Adelaide is situated on the Gulf St Vincent with the Fleurieu Peninsula to the south and the York Peninsula to the west.
The small township of Edithburgh is located on the south east side of the Yorke Peninsula two hours from Adelaide by road. The township was established in the mid-1800’s to service local sheep graziers and pastoralists.
The town’s jetty was opened in 1873 to service grain exports, then the mainstay of the peninsula, and at the turn of the century it was used for exporting salt and gypsum.
The 170 metre (557’) long jetty is protected from prevailing south westerly winds and as a result has become an incredible underwater kaleidoscope of colourful temperate marine life.
The jetty is well set up for divers with platforms and ladders to assist with entries and exits.
Underwater the pylons are covered in beautifully coloured sponges, bryozoans and ascidians and provide protection for seas stars, crabs, feather duster worms, nudibranchs and seahorses.
As with all jetty dives an underwater torch is essential to appreciate the brightly coloured pylon life.
Mid-water, under the shade of the jetty, there are large schools of fish such as old wives, bullseyes, mullet and yellow-tail.
On the bottom, sea grass meadows provide a home for spider crabs, cuttlefish, Port Jackson sharks, seahorses, pipefish and the elusive leafy seadragon whilst debris offers protection for small fish and octopus including the nocturnal blue ringed octopus.
Edithburgh Jetty is also home to the warty prowfish and several species of angler fish but spotting them requires an eagle eye!
Buried beneath the sand tiny pyjama squid, scallops and worms are hidden from all but the keenest eyes.
Edithburgh Jetty is definitely one of Australia’s best jetty dives!
Copyright C 2015 Steve Sinclair
Other great dives to do while you are there:
Wool Bay Jetty, Point Turton Jetty, Ardrossan Jetty, Chinaman’s Hat and The Zanoni (1876).
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