Meet the site
Stickney Island is a 70-hectare island in the Sir Joseph Banks Group. The Marine Life Society describes a shallow, bouldery bottom covered in thick seagrass and kelp, and a shallow reef that offers many caves and crevices, with morwong, groper, old wife, bullseyes, boarfish and blue devilfish, and colourful sponges, gorgonians, soft corals, nudibranchs, cowries, sea stars, feather stars and spider crabs. That list describes a classic temperate invertebrate reef, and the caves and crevices are where most of the colour is found: gorgonians and soft corals in the shaded overhangs, with blue devils and boarfish sheltering inside. Divers who move slowly with a torch will find cowries, nudibranchs and feather stars, while spider crabs and sea stars crawl across the boulders. Because the reef is shallow, it suits Open Water divers and confident snorkellers on calm days, and it makes a good second dive after a deeper site elsewhere in the group. The kelp and seagrass also support juvenile fish and cuttlefish. Access requires a boat crossing from Tumby Bay, so it is visited rarely. Combine with Spilsby and Duffield islands or the Langton Island sea lions for a full day in the group. The shallow depths make it an easy dive to fit into a long boat day, and on calm, clear days snorkellers in the party can enjoy the reef from the surface.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Stickney Island is recorded as Island in Eyre Peninsula. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Stickney Island 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 Stickney Island 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
Morwong, western blue groper, old wives, bullseyes, boarfish, southern blue devils, sponges, gorgonians, soft corals, nudibranchs, cowries, sea stars, feather stars, spider crabs, kelp, seagrass
Location
70-hectare island in the Sir Joseph Banks Group with a shallow, bouldery bottom covered in seagrass and kelp and a shallow reef full of caves and crevices.
Facilities nearby
None; Tumby Bay 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.