Whyalla Cuttlefish Snorkel
LOCATION Stony Point near Whyalla, South Australia
DEPTH 1-3 Meters
WATER TEMP 12-14 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Easy
Easy but the water is very cold
FEATURE
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Whyalla Cuttlefish Snorkel
LOCATION Stony Point near Whyalla, South Australia
DEPTH 1-2 meters
WATER TEMP 12 – 14 degrees
DIFFICULTY Easy
Easy but the water is very cold
FEATURE
Stony Point Cuttlefish
This unique shore based snorkel lets you get up close to hundreds of giant Australian cuttlefish that come to the rocky coastline near Whyalla to breed. You get a great look at these amazing creatures in clear, shallow water and very cold water.
What Can I See?
- 1000’s of Giant Cuttlefish
- Maybe a Seal or Dolphin
Getting There
Whyalla is in the mid north of South Australia, 385km from Adelaide. Your best option is to drive yourself there or join a tour from Adelaide to see the cuttlefish.
Once you get to Whyalla, the snorkel site at Stony Point is 30 minutes from the township.
Look for the turn off from Port Bonython Road.
Where & How do you get in?
As the name suggests, the foreshore at Stony Point is quite rocky so need to watch your step as you make your way to the waterline. There is a chain to hold onto down to the water if you need a bit of extra balance and a rubber mat to the high water mark.
Best Season
This is a seasonal event. The cuttlefish start arriving in the Spencer Gulf waters during May and their peak numbers can be seen in June and July.
How Busy/Crowds
Snorkelling with the cuttlefish is gaining in popularity. We found it busy over the June long weekend but even then if you go early in the day you will beat the crowds.
That said, there is plenty of room at Stony Point for people to spread out. And if you are well prepared for the cold water, you will see off people who only last a short time in the cold water.
Recommended Gear
5-7mm wetsuit, hood, gloves and boots
Even if you don’t wear boots for the cold, you will need them to get over the rocks to the water – but believe us, you will want them for the cold!
If you have an underwater camera, in the shallow water you should get some great shots
A hot drink for when you get out!
Visability
Visibility is 4 – 10 metres but you are so close to the cuttlefish you won’t notice if it is on the low side.
Costs/Permits
Snorkelling with the cuttlefish is a free activity – the only cost is getting to Whyalla and wetsuit hire.
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The information for each snorkel spot is provided by people who have snorkelled there. However, snorkelling conditions change daily. Please be aware that wind, swell, tides and cloud cover can all affect visibility and your experience in the water.
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Best Conditions
Early mornings are ideal as there are fewer people around and less wind. The breeze can pick up later in the day. On an incoming tide, the cuttlefish can be pushed even closer to shore but regardless of the tide, you can see them in only a metre or two of water.
The main cuttlefish at Stony Point site faces south and is protected from Northerly and Westerly swells. Strong Southerlies or Easterlies or medium Easterlies with swell are bad. If conditions are bad for the main cuttlefish site, the plan B site is right of the Pt Lowly boatramp breakwater and plan C is Black Point, which faces West.
Windy Map Instructions – Click on the wind icon in the top right to see other conditions such as swell, temperature, rain. To clear the four day forecast click and close the wind icon.
Facilities at Stony Point
Toilets
Picnic Table
Food & Drinks
Gear Hire
Shade
About the Snorkel
This is a one of South Australia’s most unique snorkels. We have snorkelled with the giant cuttlefish half a dozen times because they look so amazing and you can get so close to them. You can see them change colour and compete for mates. Their long tentacles and big eyes are incredible to watch.
Because the water is so shallow, you can also get some great pictures of them. If you are there on an incoming tide, it can push the cuttlefish even closer to shore. Often you will be in less than 2m of water.
The big thing to cope with is the cold. You are snorkelling in the middle of the South Australian winter so you will need a thick, full length wet suit, gloves, boots and hood. You can hire all your gear from the Whyalla Dive Centre but you will want to have it booked in advance. We hire our gear in Adelaide and take it with us.
If you would rather not take on the cold water, you can view the giant cuttlefish from a glass bottom boat. Tours run throughout the cuttlefish season.
You don’t have to cover a big area to see them, there are so any you will see them almost as soon as you put your face in the water. We could have spent hours watching these strange looking creatures, but expect to be in the water for no more than 45 minutes – it is cold!
Seeing so many cuttlefish in the one spot is a great experience and having to go to a slightly out of the way location makes this snorkel a fantastic snorkelling adventure.
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