Nestled on the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, Coffin Bay offers world-class snorkeling within the pristine waters of Coffin Bay National Park. Sheltered sandy bays, seagrass meadows, and rocky intertidal reefs provide rich habitat for leafy seadragons, schools of reef fish, and colourful nudibranchs. Yangie Bay — accessible by 2WD — is the prime shore-entry spot, with calm, shallow waters perfect for beginners. The park's remote northern beaches (4WD-only) reward adventurous snorkelers with secluded coves and abundant marine life, all set against dramatic coastal scenery of windswept cliffs and massive dunes.
Coffin Bay
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.3 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 0.9 knPrecipitation 4.8 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
© Jacqui BarkerDANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Coffin Bay has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Catastrophic Fire Danger Closures danger
The park closes on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may close on Extreme Fire Danger days, particularly in summer.
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Catastrophic Fire Danger Closures
The park closes on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may close on Extreme Fire Danger days, particularly in summer.
Moderate risk: 4WD Track Conditions
Northern beaches require high-clearance 4WD with sand flags and recovery tracks; deep ruts, narrow passes, and soft sand sections present risks.
Moderate risk: Tidal Inundation on Access Tracks
Occasionally high tides inundate sections of the Yangie Bay to Morgans Landing track with seawater; avoid peak tide times and check water depths.
Moderate risk: Remote Location / No Water
No drinking water available in the park; visitors must bring their own. Limited mobile reception and services in remote areas.
Moderate risk: Swell and shore break
Waves average over 1 m with a powerful shore break that can sweep swimmers off rock ledges, especially at high tide.
Low risk: Strong Surf on Exposed Beaches
Exposed northern surf beaches can experience pounding swells and strong rip currents unsuitable for inexperienced snorkelers.
Low risk: Slippery rocks
The rock pools and reef are accessed via a scramble down loose, slippery rocks with no formal path.
Low risk: Outgoing tide current
Water can funnel out of the rock pools during an outgoing tide, creating unexpected currents near the reef.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Coffin Bay National Park is 50 km west of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. From Adelaide, take the 680 km drive (approx 8 hours) via Flinders Highway and Coffin Bay Road, or shorten the trip via the Wallaroo to Cowell ferry. Yangie Bay is accessible by 2WD; northern beaches require high-clearance 4WD.
Parking & facilities
Yangie Bay has a carpark (expanded with designated longer-vehicle spaces). No dedicated accessible parking spaces. Northern beach campgrounds have limited 4WD parking.
toiletspicnic_tables
National park entry fees apply — check SA Parks website for current vehicle entry and camping fees.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports