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Shore diving in South Australia: Part 2 – Rapid Bay Jetty
CJ and Mike continue their South Australia shore diving adventures…
Rapid Bay Jetty
The next day the weather forecast was looking a bit better and it was time to check out Rapid Bay Jetty to see if we could find some leafy seadragons! Rapid Bay is an excellent spot for anyone wishing to see leafy seadragons, they seem to thrive here and the dive is shallow and access easy.
We enjoyed the drive and got to see a kangaroo bounding across the road in front of us, having just passed the sign warning us of such. We managed to get a parking space not too far from the jetty and kitted up. The walk was not for the fainthearted, but the return dive route to the ‘Tee’ and right was fantastic. The conditions were good and aside from numerous fish and nudibranchs we got to see two leafy seadragons! We enjoyed it so much we went in for a second dive, to revisit the second leafy and get some more photos.
Rapid Bay Jetty dive details:
- Dive level: Easy.
- Depth: 12m
- Type: Shore dive – Jetty, Photography, Night.
- Vis: 10m
- Marine Life: Invertebrates, schools of fish, rays, leafy seadragons.
- Entry: Steps
- Water temp: 18-21 degrees C (65-70F)
- Facilities: Car park, toilets at nearby campground.
Rapid Bay Jetty is about 1hr 20mins from Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula and has a 450m pier, extending 360m north from shore, then angling to the right for a further 80m and ending in a 200m wharf that used to support ships coming to load up with crushed limestone from the quarry.
The old pier is now in a state of disrepair and is closed to public access, but a new jetty has been built for pedestrians, fishermen and access for divers, 50m away from the original, running parallel for 240m. The new pier has a dedicated entry point for divers at the end, with stairs down to an entry platform and ladder. The stairs have been designed with divers in mind, with nice shallow steps, so its easy to climb them after a dive.
The Jetty is very popular, being a relatively shallow shore dive, protected from prevailing weather for most directions and host to a large variety of fish including the iconic leafy seadragon. The site is very highly regarded for underwater photography and night dives.
Maximum depth at the end of the old jetty is 12 m at high tide while an average depth at the end of the old jetty of 8m. The maximum depth at end of the new jetty is about 5-6m and you can surface swim or descend and swim west across to the old pier, which is better for diving and spotting Leafy Seadragons,.
Vehicles can be parked by the new jetty, but the parking area is long and narrow, so you may have a longer walk if the car park is busy. Public toilets are located in the District Council of Yankalilla campground about 650m to the east. This is a rural area, so it’s best to get food and drink in one of the towns on the way. There is no air filling station, so come with enough tanks for the days diving and a spares kit is useful. The car park is dusty so a ground sheet is useful for setting up equipment in the car park in order to keep equipment clean.
The walk to the entry point is about 240m so some divers like to use a handcart to transport their gear to beside the entry point to kit up. Keep an eye on your air if you want to dive the ‘Tee’ where big schools of fish are known to gather, as the swimming distance is quite long. The old pier is covered in life and so dives can be on any section, depending on your air consumption and fitness. If driving south after your dive, do be aware that the road exceeds 300m in altitude and must be taken into account when considering increased DCI risk after diving.
Next up… Noarlunga Reef.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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