EDITHBURGH JETTY
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| Type of dive: |
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Jetty |
| Snorkelling: |
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Yes, a kaleidoscope of colour! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Shore |
| Depth: |
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3 – 10 metres (10-30’) |
| Visibility: |
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5 – 15 metres (15-50’) |
| Water temperature: |
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13 – 22°C (55-72°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime |
Edithburgh Jetty is an underwater photographer’s dream, and at night it really reveals its secrets!
South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, is situated next to the Gulf St Vincent with the Fleurieu Peninsula to the south and the York Peninsula across the gulf to the west.
The small township of Edithburgh is located on the south east side of the Yorke Peninsula just over two and a half 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 (185 yd) 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.
The bottom debris offers great protection and creates a haven for stunning marine life such as warty prowfish, several species of angler fish, seahorses, nudibranchs, blue ring octopus and tiny pistol shrimps. 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 with its stunning array of exquisite colourful temperate marine life is definitely one of Australia’s best jetty dives!
Special thanks to Ron van der Marel of Diving Adelaide.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Other great dive sites to visit while you are there:
Wool Bay Jetty, Point Turton Jetty, Ardrossan Jetty, Chinaman’s Hat and The Zanoni Wreck (1876).
Local dive services:
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DIVING ADELAIDE |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to stay? EDITHBURGH SEASIDE MOTEL |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
South Australia
Nearest City:
Adelaide
Nearest Regional City:
Port Pirie
Nearest Town:
Edithburgh
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Adelaide
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Adelaide
Road:
Adelaide to Edithburgh:
Just over 2.5 hours (230 km/140 mi) via National Highway A1 and B88
Bus:
From Adelaide
Train:
Not available
Ferry:
Not available
THINGS TO DO
Troubridge Hill Lighthouse
Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail
Innes National Park
Troubridge Island Conservation Park
Walk the Yorke Trail
Edithburgh Museum