Australia has a rich underwater environment that is bursting with marine life. The Australian giant cuttlefish aggregate, which takes place every winter in the Spencer Gulf, is one example. A cuttlefish breeding event like no other takes place in the waters around Whyalla, South Australia.
There have been many amazing water-based adventures in Australia. We have had the opportunity to swim with whale sharks and dive with great white sharks in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. Our standards were high, it’s obvious.
Our experience with giant Cuttlefish in Whyalla was one to remember!
About the Australian Giant Cuttlefish
The largest Cuttlefish is the Australian giant Cuttlefish. These cephalopods (think squids) can change their colour to camouflage and zip through the water at high speeds. These amazing marine creatures are up to 60cm long and weigh 5kg.
Why do Cuttlefish come to Whyalla?
Cuttlefish mate in the small community of Whyalla on the Eyre Peninsula. The ideal environment for females to lay eggs is created by the rocky seabeds around Point Lowly or Stony Point.
Where can you see Cuttlefish in Whyalla?
The breeding season for giant Cuttlefish usually starts in May. Peak in June and July and taper off in August.
What is the Water Temperature in Whyalla?
Cuttlefish spawn in winter, so the water temperature is quite cold in Whyalla. Temperatures can vary depending on the month. They range from 12-18degC. Also, thick wetsuits are your best friend.
Are You able to swim with Cuttlefish in Whyalla?
The Cuttlefish Coast is accurately called. These waters are located around Point Lowly, South Australia and are the best place to swim with Cuttlefish. Stony Point and Black Point (just outside of Whyalla) are popular snorkelling and diving spots.
How to See Giant Cuttlefish in Whyalla
A tour is the best way to see this natural phenomenon. You can join any diving tour for $200-250, regardless of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver. A $250 individual scuba dive tour includes equipment hire and lasts for 4 hours. Similar snorkelling trips range from $130-170 and offer options for people who are less comfortable swimming.
You can hire or bring your equipment to go on your self-guided swim. Whyalla Diving Services has equipment available for rent. You can rent everything, from wetsuits and masks to complete equipment sets. A wetsuit costs $40, and a mask and fins cost only $10 each. The experience is completely free. We enjoyed our expedition on our own, but a guided tour is great for getting local insights.
Our Experience
We visited Whyalla in early May. Even though it was early in the cuttlefish migration season, we were delighted to discover that Cuttlefish could still be spotted offshore.
We rented fins and masks from Whyalla Diving Services in the evening before our dive. They gave us tips on the best places to spot the Cuttlefish.
We discovered that migration starts at Black Point in the early months and that Cuttlefish migrate to Stony Point later in the season.
We had this information in mind and set off for our snorkelling adventure. We arrived at Black Point around 9 am. We parked Tilly, the Troopy, at the signs and changed into our wetsuits. Then, we grabbed our cameras and fins/snorkels and walked down to the rocky shoreline.
After putting on our masks and fins, we carefully manoeuvred the slippery stones into the water. We adjusted quite well to the cold water, 17degC max.