Meet the site
Port Broughton is a fishing and holiday town on the eastern shore of upper Spencer Gulf, best known for blue swimmer crabs and its long foreshore. Its jetty is included because the regional brief names it, but it is not a recognised scuba site: there is no SDFSA or dive-shop listing, and the surrounding water is very shallow over sand and seagrass flats. At high tide the jetty offers a pleasant snorkel. Blue swimmer crabs are the headline animal – the town is one of the state's crabbing capitals – and the seagrass shelters juvenile whiting, garfish, tommy ruff, small flathead and stingarees. Dolphins are regularly seen in the bay. The piles carry algae and small encrusting growth with crabs and shrimps. Upper Spencer Gulf is warmer in summer than the southern gulfs, with water in the mid-20s, and colder in winter. Visibility is generally low, a few metres at best, and deteriorates quickly in westerly winds. For scuba divers, Port Broughton offers little; the nearest quality diving in upper Spencer Gulf is around Whyalla and Point Lowly across the gulf.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Port Broughton Jetty is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Whyalla & Upper Spencer Gulf. 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.
- 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 Port Broughton Jetty 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 Port Broughton 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
Blue swimmer crabs, juvenile whiting, garfish, tommy ruff, flathead, stingarees, dolphins (bay), seagrass fauna
Location
Town jetty at Port Broughton on the eastern shore of upper Spencer Gulf, about 170 km north-west of Adelaide, over very shallow sand and seagrass flats.
Facilities nearby
Foreshore parking, toilets, swimming enclosure, caravan park, shops and pubs in town.
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.netRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.