Meet the site
Taylors Island lies among the islands of Thorny Passage off the southern coast of Lincoln National Park. The Marine Life Society describes a boulder-strewn bottom at about 12 m with exciting dive sites around many small caves, swim-throughs and gutters, colourful sponges and gorgonians, and fish including morwong, perch, old wives, boarfish and western blue groper. The granite boulders create a playground of overhangs and passages, with invertebrate colour on the shaded surfaces and kelp on top. Boarfish and blue devils hide in the caves, schools of old wives and sweep move between boulders, and the big blue groper typical of lower Eyre Peninsula patrol the reef. Nearby Taylors Landing, a small ramp in the park, is described as very sheltered, with low limestone outcrops in 2-3 m and delicate seaweeds – a snorkel spot in its own right. Taylors Island suits Open Water divers with boat access who want a varied granite-reef dive. Combine it with Memory Cove, Lewis Island or Grindal Island for a full day in Thorny Passage. Thorny Passage takes its name from the maze of islands and reefs that make navigation tricky, so skippers need good charts and a sounder, and should allow for tidal streams that run strongly between the islands. On a calm day with clear water, the boulder field's combination of structure, invertebrate colour and big blue groper makes it one of the more rewarding boat dives within reach of Port Lincoln, and it is rarely shared with other divers. Carry an SMB, as drift pick-ups are common when the tide runs.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Taylors Island is recorded as Island in Eyre Peninsula. 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.
- 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 Taylors 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 Taylors 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, magpie perch, old wives, boarfish, western blue groper, sweep, southern blue devils, sponges, gorgonians, kelp
Location
Island in the Thorny Passage area south of Port Lincoln with a boulder-strewn bottom at about 12 m and exciting sites around small caves, swim-throughs and gutters.
Facilities nearby
Taylors Landing ramp (Lincoln NP); Port Lincoln 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.