Shelly Beach, tucked near the lighthouse at Port MacDonnell on South Australia's Limestone Coast, is a sheltered cove renowned for its calm, clear waters and abundant marine life. Named for the countless seashells scattered across its sand, this spot is a favorite among snorkelers and divers seeking the rare and endangered leafy seadragon. The shallow, protected waters are bordered by rocky reef formations that teem with colourful fish, making it an ideal intro-to-snorkel destination for beginners and families visiting the Limestone Coast.
Shelly Beach (Port MacDonnell)
BeginnerSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 2.5 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 14 knPrecipitation 7.9 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Rocky reef edges
Sharp limestone reef edges border the beach entry; sturdy footwear recommended
Low risk: Swell during southerly winds
Southern Ocean swells can push into the cove during strong southerly winds, creating chop and surge
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Port MacDonnell township, head south on Lighthouse Road toward Cape Northumberland. Shelly Beach is located near the lighthouse. The beach is a short walk from the car park.
Parking & facilities
Small car park at the end of Lighthouse Road near the lighthouse, with space for several vehicles.
parking
Free
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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