Port Noarlunga Reef The Beautiful and Diverse Gap

Port Noarlunga is a bustling beach-side suburb about 40 minutes south of Adelaide. Easy to get to, easy to access the water via the jetty and with the Adventure Blue dive store close at hand makes Pt Noarlunga the most popular shore dive destination near Adelaide.

The main attraction here is an extensive reef system running parallel to the shore and accessible from the end of the jetty. The reef is broken into northern and southern sections with a deep gap separating the two. Depths range from 5m to 15m depending on which parts of the reef you dive.

Too many divers never really get to appreciate the fantastic beauty and diversity of this place because they limit their diving to the end of the jetty and the protected side of the northern reef system. This is especially true for new divers who complete some or all of their open water training here and only see a tiny part of the system. They risk overlooking the rest Pt Noarlunga has to offer because of their associations with their initial experiences.

A good way to really see the Pt Noarlunga Reef in a whole new way is to dive 'The Gap'. Access to the gap is by a 300m snorkel south from the end of the jetty. Yes I know that sounds like a long way but it's a much more pleasant 300m than walking the length of the jetty which everyone is prepared to endure! Just stay on the inside close to the reef and take your time to enjoy the critters in the shallows. You can dive this traverse if you like but your time in the Gap will be limited due to initial air consumption. The Gap is obvious where there is no more reef at or near the surface even on a low tide.

Once you descend into the Gap it is like nothing else you will have experienced on the inside of the reef. The seascape becomes one of big bommies and thick kelps. You'll notice a big jump in the diversity and size of fish species. Stunning huge schools of Silver Drummer. Solitary Longnose Boarfish, Sweep and Old Wifes, many species of Leatherjacket, Blue Groper, Magpie Pearch, Western Talmas, Hulafish, Dusky Moorwong, Zebrafish and more. In other words, a fantastic cross section of South Australian reef fish. Colours abound with beautiful Sponges, Ascidians and Corals. Huge Gorgonian Fans catch nutrients in the current and many varieties of Algae complete the scene.

Watch your depth and air here as it is quite easy to get down to 15m and your increased air consumption may catch you by surprise cutting short your dive and enforcing a long snorkel back on the surface. With a third of your air used, start your journey back north along the outside of the reef. You can proceed the full 300m north on the outside if you are happy to clamber over the reef on surfacing to get back to the jetty or if the tide is high. Otherwise I'd recommend only going 100m north on the outside and then surfacing. Locate and traverse the narrow channel though the reef here back to the sheltered inside. Descend again, heading north for the remaining 200m return trip.

Good navigation skills are essential to get the best from this dive so make sure you have a compass and are comfortable with natural navigation techniques. Don't worry too much about getting lost though as the worst result likely is to be red faced and endure a long snorkel back.

So if you are a regular Pt Noarlunga diver and have not yet experienced diving 'The Gap', then please make it your very next thing on your diving 'ToDo' list. If you have never dived Pt Noarlunga before then make the effort to spend the time to do two or three different dives here and make sure 'The Gap' is one of them.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that's what you do! ) ...Robert


Photo: Robert Rath: Belinda Rowland admires a stunning Gorgonian during last week's dive.