Rapid Bay Beach

Nestled between towering cliffs at each end, Rapid Bay is 105 kilometres south of Adelaide and reached by a steeply descending sealed road from Delamere.
Rapid Bay is well known for its very long jetty; built in 1940 but now storm damaged, unmaintained, and closed to the public. The new jetty opened in 2009 includes a diver access platform at its end.

Take a stroll along the new jetty and enjoy fishing or the beautiful views. Or paddle your kayak around the eastern cliff to visit the hidden beach caves. At Rapid Bay, you’ll also find an important South Australian colonial landmark – a boulder on which Colonel Light carved his initials after he first stepped ashore. It’s reported that he said “I have hardly seen a place I like better”.

Rapid Bay was named after the brig HMS Rapid in which Colonel Light and his staff came to South Australia, exploring Rapid Bay in 1836 enroute to Glenelg.

Rapid Bay is unpatrolled but usually calm and relatively safe, just be aware the water deepens suddenly off the beach. It’s a paradise for divers and snorkelers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Sea Dragon.