South Australia’s best beaches for swimming, fishing, snorkelling and sunbaking

With two huge gulfs and thousands of kilometres of open-ocean beaches, South Australia is a beach-lover’s paradise. But how do you choose where to spend a summer’s day?

With two huge gulfs and thousands of kilometres of open-ocean beaches, South Australia is a beach-lover’s paradise.

But with so many to chose from it can be difficult to pick where to spend a summer’s day.

We’ve selected a few of the best spots depending on what activities you’re looking to do in or by the water.

Whether you’re keen on fishing, swimming, snorkelling or just enjoying some alone time, SA has a beach for you.

BEST BEACHES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA TO …

HAVE A DAY OUT WITH THE FAMILY

ADELAIDE: Moana – Aquamarine water, gentle surf, lawns for a picnic and cafes for coffee and lunch, Moana has everything for a family looking for a day at the beach. The area south of the boat ramp is open to cars, so bear that in mind if you have little ones.

Fishery Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. Picture: SATC

EYRE PENINSULA: Fishery Bay – An easy drive south of Port Lincoln, Fisheries has long been the family favourite on the lower Eyre Peninsula. Kid-friendly surf on the beach, more challenging rides on the points.

YORKE PENINSULA: Berry Bay – An easy drive from the township of Corny Point, Berry Bay encompasses everything that makes the YP beaches special – waves, white sand and rock pools.

FLEURIEU PENINSULA: Horseshoe Bay – This beautiful little cove usually has a wave big enough for the kids to bodyboard in, an offshore pontoon to swim to, a jetty, a surf club and a restaurant that does takeaway fish and chips. Fair to say all boxes are ticked.

SOUTH-EAST: Long Beach, Robe – Pack the ute because it’s going to be a long day on Long Beach. Famous for its, well, long beach this Robe location is popular with locals and tourists alike. The waves tend to get bigger the further you drive, so stop at the spot that suits your wave-riding ability.

GO FISHING

Fisherman Ron Charles of Coonbowie on the Wool Bay jetty. Photo Tom Huntley

ADELAIDE: Any of the city’s six metro jetties will produce a feed on the right day, but it’s a matter of choosing the right target for the right season. Summer is when the crabs are running, so bring a crab net or two, and hot, calm nights are often good for squid fishing under the lights.

EYRE PENINSULA: The EP is a fishing paradise, but if you really want a serious beach fishing challenge it’s hard to go past chasing giant mulloway on the Far West Coast. These beasts can be found along the isolated surf beaches west of Ceduna. Ask a local, they’ll tell you where to look. Maybe.

YORKE PENINSULA: Squid are fun to catch, don’t require much gear and, best of all, they’re delicious. If you want to hook up a few calamari with the kids, Wool Bay is a great place to start. You might also luck into a feed of tommy ruffs and garfish too.

FLEURIEU PENINSULA: The gutters along the surf beaches of Waitpinga and Parsons have the mighty-fighting Australian salmon, as well us mullets and tommies. Literally buckets of fun.

SOUTH-EAST: Beachport’s jetty is very long and, at time, very productive for keen anglers. Salmon, garfish, tommies, trevally and, if you’re lucky, even a few King George whiting.

GET AWAY FROM EVERYONE

ADELAIDE: Ha! Good luck. In all seriousness though, even a crowded Adelaide beach looks empty compared to Sydney or the Gold Coast. If you want space try Tennyson Dunes as there’s no beachside carpark.

Innes National Park on Yorke Peninsula. Picture: SATC

EYRE PENINSULA: Where to start – empty beaches are this coast’s specialty. On the eastern side try the lovely little coves between Port Neil and Tumby Bay. You might need to explore a few dirt roads, but that’s the whole point. On the West Coast any beach not within a few kilometres of a town is likely to be empty. If you really want to experience true solitude try Fowlers Bay and further west.

YORKE PENINSULA: Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is the place to head if you want to get some sandy solitude on a beautiful Yorkes beach. Check out the beaches around Ethel Wreck (but take care in the surf, it can be treacherous), or Goblet Bay or Dolphin Beach.

FLEURIEU PENINSULA: If you want an entire beach to yourself you might have to think outside the box a little. The popular spots – Middleton, Horseshoe Bay, Carrickalinga – will always have plenty of people over the summer, but if you’re prepared to wear out some shoe leather the world is your oyster. Deep Creek National Park has some amazing secluded coves that can only be hiked in to, while Tunkalilla Beach is a shorter – but still steep – walk from the road.

SOUTH-EAST: Like the West Coast, it’s not too hard to find your own beach in the South-East. Little Dip Conservation Park near Robe has plenty of isolated beaches (a four-wheel-drive is needed to get to many of them). The crayfishing town of Port MacDonnell is another great spot to find a quiet cove.

GO SNORKELLING

Freediver swimming in freshwater at Piccaninnie ponds conservation park.

ADELAIDE: Hands down the greatest snorkelling spot in the Adelaide metro area is Noarlunga Reef. With easy access thanks to the stairs at the end of the jetty, the reef is teaming with fish and sea life. Even a beginner will have an amazing time here.

EYRE PENINSULA: The cuttlefish congregation at Port Lowly near Whyalla is a natural wonder, but that’s a winter phenomenon, so instead see if you can spot a rare leafy sea dragon among the pylons at one of the EP’s many jetties.

YORKE PENINSULA: Again, the jetties are the focus of snorkelling on Yorkes. Check out Edithburgh, Port Turton and Wool Bay for starters.

FLEURIEU PENINSULA: Rapid Bay attracts snorkellers and divers by the dozen, and for good reason. The huge decommissioned jetty – accessible from the new jetty – is an underwater wonderland of fish, sponges, cold-water corals and, if you’re lucky, sea dragons. A must see.

SOUTH-EAST: Not a beach but a series of freshwater sinkholes, Piccaninnie Ponds is a snorkelling experience like no other. Crystal clear water creates the illusion of flying, and the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral will take your breath away.