Windara Reef is a landmark 20-hectare shellfish restoration reef built 7 km off the coast of Ardrossan in Gulf St Vincent. Constructed from 800 tonnes of local limestone and 60 custom concrete structures seeded with native flat oysters, this underwater haven rises from a sandy seabed at 8-10 m depth. It's already attracting King George Whiting and Snapper, offering a rare chance to snorkel over Australia's largest shellfish restoration project—a living, growing reef teeming with marine life.
Windara Reef
IntermediateGO
GO
It's a go.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 3.9 sWind Speed 1.2 knPrecipitation 11 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Offshore distance and wind exposure
The reef is 7 km offshore. Gusty summer winds can develop quickly, making return crossings challenging for small boats.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal flows can occur in the upper gulf, particularly around the limestone structures.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Recreational fishing boats operate in the area; snorkelers must stay vigilant.
Low risk: No anchoring zone
No anchoring is permitted on the reef—boats must use moorings or drift dive. Snorkelers require boat support.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Launch from Rogues Point or Ardrossan boat ramps and head 7 km offshore into Gulf St Vincent. The GPS coordinates of the reef are approximately 34°30.5' S, 137°53.95' E.
Parking & facilities
Boat-trailer parking available at Rogues Point and Ardrossan boat ramps.
No entry fee; standard SA recreational fishing rules apply.
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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