Haystack (also known as Haystack Island Reef) is a spectacular offshore wall dive located roughly 500 metres off the shore of Haystacks Island on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. A massive underwater wall runs more than a kilometre parallel to the island, rising from the sandy bottom at 22 metres up to about 10 metres. The wall is riddled with caves, swim-throughs, chasms and gorges, offering endless exploration. The sponge and soft coral coverage is breathtakingly colourful — vivid reds, yellows and oranges carpet the rock — and the fish life is abundant. This is a boat-access site best suited to intermediate to advanced snorkelers and divers due to open-water conditions and depth.
Haystack (dive site)
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 0.0 sWind Speed 8.1 knPrecipitation 11 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Open-water swell
The site is exposed to open-ocean swell, which can cause surge around the wall and through swim-throughs. Only dive in calm conditions.
Low risk: Depth and decompression risk
The sandy bottom reaches 22 metres. Snorkelers should stay near the shallower wall top (~10 m); divers need to manage depth and air supply carefully.
Low risk: Strong currents
Offshore current can develop around the island and wall. Best dived on a slack tide in calm weather.
Low risk: Remote location
Located 500 m offshore with no immediate shore facilities. Requires boat access and self-sufficient planning.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Haystack Island is located off the coast of the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, near Marion Bay. Access is by boat only — launch from the Marion Bay boat ramp. The reef lies approximately 500 m off the island's shore, running parallel to it.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the Marion Bay boat ramp.
parkingboat_ramp
No fees for the dive site. Innes National Park entry fees may apply if accessing via the park.
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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