The south of Adelaide has some pretty amazing beaches. Another one of our favourites is Port Noarlunga beach. Situated only 33 kilometres away from the centre of Adelaide, it's the perfect spot to take the family for the day.
There is a lot to see and do around Port Noarlunga beach. Over the course of this post, we'll give you some information on it, as well as tell you about our favourite things to do down there.
The Snorkeling at Port Noarlunga
To start off I'll talk about our favourite part of going to Port Noarlunga beach. Running parallel to the beach is a stretch of reef just waiting for snorkelers to explore. Due to the vast distance that this reef spans, the area is generally protected from rough waves, making it the ideal spot to see some local marine life.
Recently the ever illusive Leafy Seadragons were even spotted here. There is a huge amount of sea creatures to spot, each as amazing as the next. The last time we snorkeled here we even spotted a few dolphins near the end of the jetty.
The reef is fairly easy to get to. Port Noarlunga jetty takes you most of the way out. There are stairs at the end of the jetty that you can take to enter and exit the water. If you keep your eyes peeled, you may even see a school of fish that hang around the end of the jetty waiting for bread from those who enter the water. It truly is an amazing experience.
Swimming and Other Activities
As with most beaches, the activity most people are there for is the swimming. Due to the location of the reef the water is generally calm, making it an ideal spot for swimming, especially for younger children. During the warmer months the Port Noarlunga Surf Lifesaving Club patrol the beach, making it an even safer option.
Unfortunately this lack of waves means it's not ideal for surfing. Southport beach is less than 1 kilometre away and is much better for surfing if this is what you'd prefer.
Fishing is an extremely popular activity at Port Noarlunga beach. Most days you'll find the jetty lined with keen fisherman hoping to get a good catch. Having the reef close to the jetty makes it a great spot for fishing. Just take note that the very end of the jetty and the reef itself are part of the aquatic reserve and fishing activities must not take place within this zone.
Feeling Hungry?
If you've spent a day down at the beach and you're starting to feel a bit peckish then you have a lot of options. At the top of the jetty by the Lifesaving Club is Hortas Restaurant. Across the road you'll find Ampika's Kitchen and Cafe Cody.
Just a short walk away is Beck's Bakery, as well as a myriad of cafes and restaurants within Port Noarlunga. Each does something different and delicious, so we're sure there will be something to cater to everyone.
Alternatively you could grab some hot chips from the local takeaway shop and have a picnic on the beach. The options are endless.
What Else is Around?
Port Noarlunga beach is close to quite a few other places that are worth a visit. Not far away is the beloved Adventure Playground. The kids can spend hours here playing on the maze of playground equipment. It's a great spot for the family to spend time together and to stop for a picnic.
If you're in need of some shops, Seaford shopping centre and Colonnades shopping centre are both only a few minutes drive away. You could stop on the way for some picnic supplies and snorkel gear to maximise your experience at Port Noarlunga.
So if you're keen to see some marine life, or just looking at a spot to have a day of fun, take a look at Port Noarlunga beach. It's got everything you need to make the day special.
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Port Noarlunga Beach - Explore Adelaide