Meet the site
Every winter the rocky coast north-east of Whyalla hosts one of the world's great marine wildlife spectacles. Giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama), the largest cuttlefish species – males grow to about 50 cm and 5 kg – migrate into the shallow reefs between Stony Point, Point Lowly and Black Point to breed. The aggregation is the only known mass spawning of the species anywhere, and the national heritage listing records numbers fluctuating from a low of 13,492 in 2013 to a peak of 247,146 in 2020. The attraction is the habitat. The shore is a fringing reef of fragmented bedrock slabs, giving thousands of crevices and overhangs where females attach their eggs, and the cold winter water (about 12°C) is needed for incubation. Males outnumber females, and the reef becomes a stage of competition: big males flash rippling bands of colour, extend their arms and spar with rivals, while smaller 'sneaker' males mimic females to slip past the guards. It all happens in 1-6 m, within a few metres of shore, and the animals are indifferent to snorkellers and divers who stay calm and still. Stony Point is the main access point, with a boardwalk, handrail, change rooms and toilets. Snorkellers see nearly everything in 1-2 m, while divers can settle on the bottom in 4-6 m and watch courtship at eye level; photographers often spend hours in the water over several days. The aggregation nearly collapsed in the early 2010s, prompting fishing closures, the sanctuary zone and heritage listing, and numbers have since recovered. Visiting requires a thick wetsuit or drysuit, patience with the cold, and respect for the animals. For anyone diving in Australia in winter, it is a must-do: an encounter with tens of thousands of intelligent, colour-changing animals in water shallow enough to stand up in.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Stony Point – Giant Cuttlefish Aggregation is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
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 Stony Point – Giant Cuttlefish Aggregation 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 Stony Point – Giant Cuttlefish Aggregation 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
Giant Australian cuttlefish (tens of thousands in season), cuttlefish eggs under ledges, southern calamari, blue swimmer crabs, leatherjackets, magpie perch, wrasse, dolphins (occasional), brown algae
Location
Rocky shore about 25 km north-east of Whyalla near Point Lowly and the Port Bonython industrial area, where each winter (May-August) tens to hundreds of thousands of giant Australian cuttlefish gather on shallow ledges in 1-6 m to breed – the only known mass aggregation of the species in the world.
Facilities nearby
Large car park, change rooms, toilets, shelter, boardwalk with handrail at Stony Point; air fills, gear hire and accommodation in Whyalla (Whyalla Dive Shop). Cuttlefest events in Whyalla during the season.
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
curiouscampers.com.audcceew.gov.aumarinelife.org.ausdfsa.netwhydive.com.audivingadelaide.com.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.