Meet the site
Magazine Point is a small rocky point just west of the Point Turton township, named after an old explosives magazine. It is a local snorkelling spot rather than a destination dive, but it offers a pleasant change from the jetty for those staying in town. The shallow reef off the point consists of low limestone ledges and rocky patches interspersed with seagrass and sand, in about 1-4 m. Brown algae and small kelp cover the rock, and the ledges shelter crabs, small wrasse, magpie perch, leatherjackets, zebrafish and juvenile fish that use Hardwicke Bay's seagrass as a nursery. Stingrays and fiddler rays rest on the sand, and dolphins are often seen in the bay. With a mild tidal flow along the point, it can be done as an easy drift. Above the waterline, a small sea cave in the cliff can be explored on foot at low tide, adding interest for families and snorkellers. The site's value is its ease and shelter. Divers will find it shallow and limited in structure, and it is not documented in dive-shop or SDFSA site lists, so data confidence is low. It suits snorkellers, children with supervision and scuba divers wanting a gentle, shallow reef dive on a calm day at Point Turton. It also makes a useful companion to a night dive on the jetty: snorkel the point by day to get a feel for Hardwicke Bay's fish life, then return to the jetty after dark for the squid and octopus. Wear boots for the rocky entry, and keep an eye on the tide, as the reef edge becomes very shallow near low water.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Magazine Point is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Yorke 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
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 Magazine Point suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Magazine Point 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
Wrasse, magpie perch, leatherjackets, zebrafish, juvenile fish, crabs, stingrays, fiddler rays, dolphins (bay), brown algae and seagrass
Location
Low rocky point just west of Point Turton township on Hardwicke Bay, offering a shallow reef snorkel or easy drift in 1-4 m, with a small sea cave in the cliffs above the waterline.
Facilities nearby
Roadside/clifftop parking only; toilets, store and caravan park in Point Turton (1 km).
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
visityorkepeninsula.com.authediveshack.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.