Meet the site
Wool Bay is a small, old stone-and-timber jetty that punches far above its size because of one animal: the leafy seadragon. Local visitor information calls it possibly the best spot in South Australia to see leafies, and the SDFSA describes it as home to many of them. The jetty was built in the nineteenth century to ship wool and later lime from the kilns on the cliff above, and it now stands in only 1-5 m of water over a mosaic of seagrass, brown algae and sand. The dive is gentle and shallow. The pylons carry a modest growth of sponges and ascidians with nudibranchs, small crabs and seahorses, but the real work is done off the jetty over the weed beds on either side. Leafy seadragons blend almost perfectly with the kelp and Cystophora, so the trick is to swim slowly a metre or so above the weed and look for the steady, drifting shape that does not sway with the surge. Pairs are commonly seen, and in late spring and summer males may be carrying eggs. Weedy seadragons are occasionally found too, along with pipefish, cowfish, globefish, stingarees and small schools of trevally and tommy ruff. Pyjama squid and octopus appear on night dives. Because there is almost no current and the bottom is so shallow, Wool Bay is an excellent site for newer divers, snorkellers and photographers who want long bottom times, and many divers use it as a relaxed second dive after Edithburgh or Port Giles on the same day. It is not a site for big-fish action or dramatic structure. The main downside is its sensitivity to the weather: with an easterly blowing, the fine silt lifts and visibility collapses. On a still morning with westerly winds, though, it can offer clear water, easy entries and one of the best chances anywhere of meeting South Australia's marine emblem.
What you might see
Leafy seadragons, weedy seadragons (occasional), big-bellied seahorses, pipefish, nudibranchs, cowfish, globefish, stingarees, pyjama squid, octopus, small crabs, tommy ruff, trevally, seagrass and brown algae
Location
Short historic jetty at Wool Bay, between Stansbury and Port Giles on the lower east coast of Yorke Peninsula, about 210 km from Adelaide; a shallow seagrass and weed site famous for leafy seadragons.
Facilities nearby
Small car park at the jetty; no toilets at the jetty (nearest in Stansbury or Edithburgh); lime kiln lookout above; air fills in Edithburgh or Stansbury.
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.netthediveshack.com.auvisityorkepeninsula.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.