Meet the site
In the 1980s and 1990s, recreational fishing groups and government placed artificial reefs made of bundled car tyres in several parts of Spencer Gulf to create fish habitat on otherwise featureless seabed. The Marine Life Society records tyre reefs established around Point Lowly at about 18 m, visited by lots of fish but capable of being silty, in an area renowned for strong tides. Tyre reefs are simple structures – stacks or pyramids of tyres, sometimes weighted with concrete – that become colonised by sponges, ascidians and algae over time and attract schooling fish. Around Point Lowly, snapper, King George whiting, leatherjackets, tommy ruff and trevally use the structures, along with blue swimmer crabs and cuttlefish. They are not attractive dives in the scenic sense, and their value is mainly for divers interested in artificial habitats or fish life. The combination of depth, silt and tidal flow means they are only diveable for a short window at slack water, and visibility can be poor. Some older tyre reefs in South Australian waters have partly broken up, spreading tyres over the seabed. Divers with a boat in Whyalla will generally find Marek's Reef or the Leeton tug more rewarding, and in winter the cuttlefish at Stony Point dominate everything. If you do dive the tyre reefs, keep well off the bottom to avoid clouding the water, carry an SMB in case the tide turns early, and have a tender on the boat, as drifting divers can be carried quickly past the point into the shipping approaches for Port Bonython.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Point Lowly Artificial Reefs is recorded as Artificial Reef in Whyalla & Upper Spencer Gulf. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Point Lowly Artificial Reefs suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Point Lowly Artificial Reefs 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
Snapper, King George whiting, leatherjackets, tommy ruff, trevally, blue swimmer crabs, cuttlefish, sponges and ascidians on tyres
Location
Tyre reefs established in about 18 m around Point Lowly, visited by lots of fish but often silty and swept by strong tides.
Facilities nearby
Whyalla marina ramp and services.
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.