Meet the site
Kirton Point is the deeper of Port Lincoln's shore dives. The Marine Life Society describes a deeper reef offering a colourful shore dive with often good visibility, in about 12 m, and lists sea cucumbers, crabs, sea stars, tubeworms and nudibranchs among its residents. The reef combines rocky outcrops and rubble with sponge and ascidian growth, and the jetty piles add structure. Fan and feather-duster tubeworms extend from the rock, sea stars and sea cucumbers dot the bottom, and nudibranchs graze the sponges. Leatherjackets, magpie perch, wrasse, old wives and schools of yellowtail move over the reef, and cuttlefish and southern calamari are common. Compared with the town jetty, Kirton Point offers more depth and usually clearer water, making it the preferred shore dive for experienced visitors with a spare morning between boat trips. It is also next to the Kirton Point Caravan Park and boat ramp, the launching point for Cape Donington and the Degei wreck. It suits Open Water divers and photographers. As with all Boston Bay sites, strong easterly or south-easterly winds reduce visibility, and fishing line is a hazard around the jetty. Night dives here are rewarding: the tubeworms extend fully, cuttlefish and squid hunt over the reef, and octopus move between the rocks. Because it is close to town and to air fills, Kirton Point is a practical place to fit in a dive on a travel day or when offshore weather cancels a boat trip, and it gives a good introduction to the reef life of Boston Bay before heading out to Cape Donington or the islands.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Kirton Point Jetty is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Eyre Peninsula. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Kirton Point Jetty suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Kirton Point Jetty through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Sea cucumbers, sea stars, tubeworms, nudibranchs, crabs, leatherjackets, magpie perch, wrasse, old wives, yellowtail scad, cuttlefish, southern calamari, sponges
Location
Jetty at Kirton Point on the eastern side of Port Lincoln, where a deeper reef in about 12 m offers a colourful shore dive with often good visibility.
Facilities nearby
Parking; Kirton Point Caravan Park (toilets, boat ramp) adjacent; full services in Port Lincoln.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.