Whyalla Cuttlefish Coast

Each winter, Australian giant cuttlefish gather on a short stretch of rocky reef in the upper Spencer Gulf near Whyalla to breed, the only known mass aggregation of the species anywhere, with densities that in good years run to tens of thousands of animals over a few kilometres of coast. They are large, up to half a metre and more, and they display constantly, changing colour and texture as males compete and court, in water shallow enough to snorkel. Access is from the shore at Stony Point and Point Lowly, where the lighthouse stands. The water is cold, around thirteen degrees, so wetsuits are essential and hire is available in town.

What you actually see

• The cuttlefish aggregation - thousands of giant cuttlefish in shallow water.
• The colour displays - males changing pattern and texture to compete and court.
• The shore entries - snorkelling straight in from Stony Point and Point Lowly.
• Point Lowly lighthouse - the 1883 tower above the reef.

When to go

May to August, with June and July the peak; the animals disperse and die after breeding, so the window is fixed. Numbers vary between years and have fluctuated significantly. Calm days give the best visibility.

Honest expectations

The water is cold enough that a full wetsuit is necessary and sessions are short. Visibility varies with wind. The setting is industrial, with the Whyalla steelworks nearby, which surprises visitors expecting pristine coast. Numbers vary considerably year to year.

Nearby

Whyalla is the base town; Port Augusta and the Flinders Ranges lie north.