7 of SA’s best snorkelling spots

Posted 21 November, 2019 Samuel Smith

Dip your head beneath the waters of our seas and lakes and you’ll find yourself in an alien landscape, teeming with all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures.   With just a mask, snorkel and a pair of fins, you can spend some quality time in this otherworldly environment. Here are some of our favourite snorkelling locations.  

Smooth Pool, Eyre Peninsula

Even when the ocean is roaring, Smooth Pool is likely to stay true to its name. Sheltered by a chunky reef, it’s well protected from the swells that roll in from the Great Australian Bight. This makes it a popular hangout for ocean fish that prefer the quiet life, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. There’s also a lot going on in the seagrass.   Spectacularly located beneath towering orange cliffs, this is a great place to visit, if only for the scenery. Any non-snorkellers in your group can spend their time checking out the action in the tidal rock pools and posting snaps to Instagram.    

Ewens Ponds, Limestone Coast

If you’ve long been on a quest to track down a pouched lamprey, a common galaxid or a golden pygmy perch, then you might consider a trip to Ewens Ponds. They’re just a few of the aquatic species that live there.   Set among extensive reedbeds, the 3 spring-fed ponds are connected by shallow channels, and the water’s so clear it’s almost like swimming in air. On the bottom is a lush garden of native vegetation, adding to the surreal experience of snorkelling in this unique spot. The water temperature is a chilly 10 – 15 degrees Celsius though, so you’ll need a wetsuit if you plan to hang around for more than 30 seconds.   To help preserve this delicate environment, the National Parks and Wildlife Service have introduced a permit system for scuba divers and snorkelers. For more information head to their website. Note: Ewens Ponds is closed every spring to allow for regeneration; this year it reopens on 2 December.