Meet the site
Mount Dutton Bay is a quiet arm of the Coffin Bay inlet system, and its jetty stands beside a heritage-listed woolshed built in the 1870s, when wool was shipped out from here by ketch. The Marine Life Society describes the Coffin Bay area as picturesque, very shallow and very sheltered, with rocky reefs, nearby islands and a wealth of marine life. At Mount Dutton Bay the water under and around the jetty is shallow – typically 1-3 m at high tide – over dense seagrass meadows that are among the most productive nursery habitats on the west coast. Snorkellers see King George whiting, garfish, juvenile snapper, leatherjackets, blue swimmer crabs, stingarees and pipefish, with seahorses possible on the piles. Dolphins are common in the inlets, and the Coffin Bay area is famous for its oyster farms. This is a relaxed snorkel for visitors staying at the woolshed or exploring Coffin Bay, not a destination scuba dive. Coffin Bay township and the national park offer more varied diving, and Coffin Bay Scuba Co. can recommend sites based on the day's conditions.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Mount Dutton Bay Jetty (Coffin Bay) 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.
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 Mount Dutton Bay Jetty (Coffin Bay) 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 Mount Dutton Bay Jetty (Coffin Bay) 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
King George whiting, garfish, juvenile snapper, leatherjackets, blue swimmer crabs, stingarees, pipefish, seahorses (possible), dolphins, seagrass
Location
Historic jetty beside the heritage Mount Dutton Bay woolshed on a sheltered arm of the Coffin Bay inlet system, in very shallow, calm water over seagrass.
Facilities nearby
Woolshed accommodation and museum; parking; services in Coffin Bay (20 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
sdfsa.netmarinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.