Meet the site
Brighton Jetty is one of the Adelaide metropolitan jetties included on the list of sites for this region, but it is not a recognised dive site in the published guides consulted. The original jetty was built in 1886 and stood for more than a century until winter storms in 1994 caused serious damage; it was rebuilt with funding from a mobile phone company, which is why a telecommunications tower stands at its end. A war memorial arch at the shore end hosts Anzac Day dawn services. Brighton is better known for the Brighton Jetty Classic, an open-water swim first held in 2006 that became the largest in South Australia, and for its patrolled sandy beach. Underwater, the jetty sits over a mostly sandy seabed in shallow water. As at other Holdfast Bay jetties, the piles carry some algal and invertebrate growth and can hold small fish, crabs and occasionally cuttlefish or octopus, especially at night, but without the rich pylon growth of jetties such as Rapid Bay or Edithburgh. It is best thought of as a snorkel or casual shallow dive for locals on a flat day rather than a destination dive. The Glenelg Jetty and Glenelg Blocks nearby have more documented diving interest, and Port Noarlunga to the south is far better. Divers using the jetty should respect anglers above, stay clear of lines and keep an eye on swimmers and surf lifesaving activity during the patrolled season (November-March weekends). A 1926 memorial fountain near the jetty commemorates a fatal shark attack at Brighton, a reminder that the gulf's larger sharks do occasionally come inshore.
What you might see
Small fish, crabs, occasional cuttlefish and octopus; limited pile growth (not documented in detail)
Location
Public jetty at Brighton, rebuilt after 1994 storm damage, extending over a sandy seabed in Holdfast Bay.
Facilities nearby
Toilets and showers on the Esplanade, surf club, many cafes on Jetty Road Brighton, train station nearby; air fills at Glenelg.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.