Coffin Bay

Coffin Bay is a town on the Southern extremity of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and is about 45km from Port Lincoln. Known for its beautiful waters, sand dunes and incredible Oysters, it is one of our favorite destinations in South Australia.

TOP 5 things to do & see when you visit Coffin Bay.

1. Sunset Charters

Sail Coffin Bay and explore the rugged southern Eyre Peninsula aboard a luxury catamaran. Kalo and his crew are absolutely amazing and this is an activity we do every time we visit Coffin Bay. 

The Dolphin Swim is a 5-Hour tour that allows you to get up close to the local Burrunan Dolphins.

A truly unique experience with the fron net and Mermaid tow line allowing you to experience these amazing creatures without invading their territory. 

We have also done the Taste & Explore tour which was absolutely amazing. The local seafood platter was stunning and mixed with the Coffin Bay Spirits or local wine is an experience recommend.

Recommendation

  • If you can only do one tour when in Coffin Bay then the Dolphin Swim is definitely the one I would choose. It may seem expensive, but you get a full 5 hour tour and the experience is one that you will not regret doing.
  • The Front Net is definitely the better place to be. I found the Mermaid Tow rope to be a little rough and you can end up swallowing quite a bit of seawater.
  • I brought my own mask on the tour. It is a full face Ninja Shark Snorkelling mask and the visibility was much better than using a traditional snorkel and mask. It also makes breathing that much easier.

2. Oyster Farm Tours

Sit in the crystal clear waters of the Saltwater Pavilion and taste freshly shucked Oysters while you learn about Oyster Farming in Coffin Bay.

This is a great activity and is reasonably priced. I recommend adding a bottle of local wine and a couple of Bloody Mary Oyster Shots to enhance the experience. Afterwards, add the Deluxe Seafood platter nad table booking at Oyster HQ. You will not regret it. The platter is more than enough for 2 people but must be booked prior to your tour.

There are other Oyster Tours available, but we loved Oyster Farm Tours which is accessed at Oyster HQ which is directly opposite the Coffin Bay Caravan Park

Recommendation

  • Book a tour just before lunch and add a lunch booking at Oyster HQ after your tour
  • Add a bottle of wine (there are local wines and sparkling varieties) or a Gin and Tonic from Coffin Bay Spirits that you can enjoy during the tour on the Saltwater Pavilion.
  • Add a Seafood Platter to your booking and it will be ready for you when you go to Oyster HQ for lunch.
  • Bloody Mary Oyster Shots are good value, and the Oyster dip and crackers work well with wine and freshly shucked Oysters.

3. Oyster HQ

 

As you enter Oyster HQ you walk past the amazing Oyster vending machine. A unique and quirky start to your visit. 

The menu inside is simple, but delicious. Seafood that will satiate that Oyster hunger - with some amazing options. The Gremolata Oysters are a MUST try.

The seafood tacos, Scallops, and fisherman's basket are all very good and can be washed down with a Gin tasting Board which features the local Coffin Bay Spirits. We tried other venues in Coffin Bay, but always came back to Oyster HQ.

 

Recommendation

  • The Italian Gremolata Oysters are absolutely superb. The Japanese Oysters are also amazing. 
  • The Seafood Chowder or Prawn Hotpot are great and are easily shared. 
  • We ordered a mixed selection of Oysters between the four of us and then decided which ones we liked - then ordered a serve of those. 
  • Ordering a selection of Tapas items to share worked really well as you can use the QR code and add more food if you are still hungry.
  • The Coffin Bay Spirits Gin Tasting Paddle was a nice way to start. They also have a reasonable selection of local wines.

4. Coffin Bay National Park

Located 5km from the Town centre of Coffin Bay, the National Park offers some of the most incredible scenery and beaches you will find. From massive sand dunes, surf beaches to sheltered sandy bays, Coffin Bay National Park has you covered. 

Easy to do day trips from Coffin Bay to the park with an entrance fee of $10.90 per vehicle, or you can book one of the camp sites starting at $21.60 per night. 

When you visit you can choose to visit the sheltered bays, or if you want the beautiful beaches I have pictured, start at Golden Island Lookout (there is a carpark at the top of the cliffs) and make your way along Almonta and Gunyah beaches on the long stretch of white sand. 

There are so many incredible beaches that you could spend a week simply exploring them. Emus and Seals can be found as you wander along some of the most pristine beaches and dunes you will find anywhere in the world..

 

Recommendation

  • Day trips from Coffin Bay are easy and you only need to purchase a $10.90 Vehicle Pass for each day and each vehicle entering the park.
  • Seven Mile Beach allows for driving on the beach and there are a lot of emus there. This beach is more protected on windy days.
  • If you are going for a Day Trip, then I recommend Sensation Beach - then drive to Golden Island lookout, which has a large carpark. You can then walk all the way along the beach and see Almonta and Gunya beaches which are absolutely stunning
  • If you want to camp in the Coffin Bay National Park then I recommend a proper 4WD Off Roading set up and the capacity to deflate and re-inflate tyres. Big Yangie Bay is a good campsite if you do not have 4WD.
  • If you have 4WD capability then I recommend Morgan's Landing which only has 4 unpowered sites and offers both shade and wind protection.

5. Oyster Walk Coffin Bay

Following the coastline between Long Beach in the West and Snapper Point in the East, the Oyster Walk is worth doing while you are in Coffin Bay. A 10.4km return walk, the path is well marked and is mostly sheltered, with public toilets and picnic spots along the way.

You will most certainly see emus on your walk, so be aware and respect them. DO NOT try to pat an emu as we saw a tourist try to do. They are definitely NOT a pet.

There are a pod of Burrunan dolphins that reside in the Bay and if you walk along you can often spot them playing in the water. Otherwise, there are Pelicans, Crabs, Skates (Rays), ample birdlife and lizards all along the walk. 

 

Recommendation

  • Whilst the whole walk is 10.4km, you do not have to do the whole walk.
  • The main trail is 8km with an additional loop trail which takes you into Kellidie Bay Conservation Park and the Coffin Bay Lookout.
  • The main trail is an easy relatively flat trail with lots of rest areas and facilities. 
  • I recommend doing the main trail in the morning and then adding the loop in the afternoon, taking in Long Beach.