There are several known anchors to be seen at Port Noarlunga. Certainly, most of them (4) are underwater and can only be visited by divers. There are, however, now three anchors that can be seen there without getting wet.
Visiting the underwater anchors will be highly dependent on one’s fitness, diving skills and experience. It is highly recommended that divers are accompanied by a buddy rather than attempt a visit on their own. Sea conditions will always determine whether or not an attempt should be made to visit the underwater anchor locations. Good underwater navigation skills are necessary to be able to find most of the underwater anchors and return safely.
This large anchor donated by the Sea Wolves Dive Club is displayed at the entrance to the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club at the south-west corner of the jetty car park: –
Large anchor at the entrance to the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club
The 3m anchor of unknown origin was first discovered off Semaphore in 1999, It was recovered by the Sea Wolves in 2005. After some negotiation with the Department of Environment’s Heritage Division, the Sea Wolves preserved the anchor under the department’s guidance.
This plaque accompanies the anchor display: –
The plaque for the large anchor at the entrance to the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club
This nearby smaller anchor from the David Witton was donated by the Underwater Explorers Club of SA: –
The anchor from the David Witton
The ‘Sea Wolves Anchor’ shown earlier is now located in the entrance shown in the background of the above photo.
See The Bower Anchor from the David Witton for more details about the David Witton anchor..
This plaque accompanies the David Witton anchor display: –
The plaque for the David Witton anchor
This larger anchor sits on private property on the Esplanade to the south of the car park:
The anchor on private property on the Esplanade to the south of the Port Noarlunga jetty car park
Although it is on private property, it is clearly visible from the Esplanade. No details are known about this anchor at all.
This large underwater anchor (Anchor No.1) is thought to be from the Duilius: –
The underwater anchor thought to be from the Duilius
(Photo taken by Alex Wyschnja)
It is located right by the reef to the south of the jetty. The anchor is adjacent to the inside of the reef and it can be found by swimming south along the edge of the reef until it is encountered between markers 3 & 4.
See Possible origins of the large anchor at Port Noarlunga reef and More on the Wreck of the Duilius for more details about this anchor.
There are three more underwater anchors (Anchors 2-4) in the bay, as shown on this map by David Cowan: –
Map 1 showing the 4 known underwater anchors
(Map drawn by David Cowan)
David Cowan also drew some maps of the locations of the other anchors. This map shows the location of anchors number 1 & 2: –
Map showing anchor number 1 (The First Anchor) and anchor number 2 (The Second Anchor)
(Map drawn by David Cowan)
Mark Young took this photo of anchor number 2 in 2006: –
Number 2 anchor
(Photo taken by Mark Young. Source: “Port Noarlunga’s Second Anchor” by David Cowan, Dive Log Australasia, November 2006)
Anchor number 2 is about 2m long and about 1.6m wide. It is located about 185m south of the jetty. It can be found about 49m, 120 deg from marker No.4, or 17m, 60 deg from marker No.5, as shown on this map drawn by David Cowan: –
Map 2 showing the location of anchor number 2 (shown as ‘X’)
(Map drawn by David Cowan)
Anchor number 2 is said to be 6-7m depth, on “sandy, rubble-strewn bottom”. An arm is “embedded in the sea bottom”. “Its stock lies flat on the bottom”. “The crown end of its shank points directly towards the shore”. It is thought to be a stream anchor, one used for anchoring in a channel.
Here are some more photos of anchor number 2, taken by Alex Wyschnja and Andy Burnell: –
The location of anchor number 3 is shown on this map featuring anchors number 2 & 3. Number 3 anchor is located about 98m, 60 deg from marker No.5, or 81m, 60 deg from anchor number 2, or 110m, 100 deg from anchor number 1.
Map 2 showing anchor numbers 2 & 3
(Map drawn by David Cowan)
The location of anchor number 4 is shown on this map. It is located about 41m, 90 deg from the large anchor chain on the reef north of the jetty, as shown on this map drawn by David Cowan: –
Map 3 showing anchor number 4
(Map drawn by David Cowan)
I have only seen anchors number 1 & 4 myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of number 4. Here is one of my photos of anchor number 1: –
This photo below shows a large chain that I found on the top of the reef whilst kayaking: –
There have been suggestions and speculation regarding more anchors in the area, but none of these have been confirmed at all.
The three above water anchors can soon be visited via the jetty car park. The David Witton anchor and the ‘Sea Wolves’ anchor are both located in the south-western corner of the car park. The third anchor on the Esplanade can be visited by heading further south from that corner of the car park.
Remember that one’s fitness, experience, diving and navigation skills should all be taken into consideration when visiting the underwater anchors. Sea conditions should also be considered and divers should be accompanied by a buddy. Good underwater navigation skills are necessary to be able to find most of the underwater anchors and return safely.
It is recommended that divers only attempt to visit just one underwater anchor on their first attempt. That experience will benefit them for their next attempt to visit another anchor. Anchor number 1 is the most visited anchor of the four known underwater locations. Anchors 2 & 3 can be found by venturing further from anchor number 1.
Anchor number 4 is on the northern side of the jetty. It can be located by swimming north along the edge of the inside of the reef until the large mooring chain crossing the reef is encountered. (The old jetty steps are located near to the mooring chain.) This anchor can be located by using a 41m-long line tied to the mooring chain and extended east (90 degrees). The only time that I found this anchor was by using this method during a night dive. An extra pair of eyes (your buddy’s) will help you to find the anchor at the 41m mark of the line.
Reference: “Port Noarlunga’s Second Anchor” by David Cowan, Dive Log Australasia, November 2006
My thanks got to David Cowan for his maps of the underwater anchor locations.