In celebration of International Day of People with Disability, Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries (EMS) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) our proudly hosting a fully inclusive guided snorkelling tour of Second Valley Beach and Jetty.

A complimentary ticket will be provided for one adult carer to accompany each ticket holder. Carers do not need to purchase a ticket.

This snorkel may be relocated to Second Valley depending on sea and wind conditions. EMS will aim to notify all participants 3 days before the snorkel date of any location change.

Professional Event Leaders, accredited snorkel guides from EMS and volunteers with experience working with people with disability will help you explore the jetty and seagrass beds, home to a huge diversity of colourful fish and plant life. 

EMS is a not-for-profit and all funds raised from ticket sales go to overheads such as dive pro event leaders, insurance, equipment storage and volunteer training. NPWS is supporting this event with a subsidy that has allowed us to offer this event for a significantly reduced price.

A short drive from Adelaide, families can enjoy the beach, picnic, and easy reef access, at this captivating site.

You’ll be welcomed by large schools of sweep, silver drummer, leather jackets, and zebrafish. As you move along the reef, search for crabs, rays, reef fish, squid (and maybe even a dolphin or seadragon!) Along with the beach entry areas, look for bright orange sea stars, crabs, bream, dusky morwong, and eagle rays.

No rush - there will be extra time allowed for participants to choose and put on snorkel equipment/wetsuit.

Clear safety and snorkel briefing (with visual and audio).

Option to use specialised equipment including reef-board with viewing portal and also full face mask for those with sensory issues (salt water doesn’t touch mouth/face).

Snorkel groups will be kept small with a maximum of 4 participants per lead snorkel guide - often family and/or friend groups.

Participants will be kept close to entry/exit point so they can leave snorkel when ever they like (escorted by an assistant guide and parent/carer).  groups (maximum of 4 people to 1 guide) so you get to enjoy the beach and shallow reef safely.

Snorkel guides lead the tours and are often accompanied by student or qualified marine biologists.

We Provide a wetsuit, mask (goggles), snorkel, fins (flippers), and an accredited guide.

We have wetsuits from adult 5XL down to child 4. We also provide modified wetsuits with waist length zip to make easier to put on.

All wetsuits are washed, and mask/snorkels sterilised between uses with COVID-19 approved cleaning products.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

Children 5 and over and people of all abilities, who are confident in the water and can tread water and swim at least 25 metres can join the snorkel.

One adult carer per 1 child (15 and under), the adult must supervise at all times.

A person living with a disability must be supervised and supported by an adult Carer (carer free of charge). 

EMS can provide an immersive wheelchair, modified wetsuits and extra floatation devices on request.

If you require extra assistance or have any special requirements, please tell us when booking your ticket. We might call you to make sure we have the team and equipment to support you on the day.

Please get there 45 minutes before your start time, you will have to fill out forms and put on your wetsuit and snorkel gear.

Everyone must wear a wetsuit or safety buoyancy vest as part of our insurance requirements.

Parking and toilets, shaded picnic tables, and outside showers are available

Easy access to the beach and jetty. 

Accessible car parking.

EMS values diversity and inclusivity

EMS actively works towards being more inclusive in our programs. We have taken the following steps to welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities to join our events and snorkel tours:

- Offering inclusive and disability awareness training to our team of staff and volunteers

- Providing a mobi chair floating beach wheel chair to enable people with disability to enter and exit the water safely 

- Providing a reef board for use by people that may struggle with having their face submerged in the water  

- Providing adapted equipment and wetsuits to support people living with a disability on our community snorkel tours

- Offering indoor pool snorkel classes for people of all ages and abilities who need extra support, instruction or practice in the water. Many participants from our pool snorkels build up the confidence to join an ocean snorkel.

- Offering a VR 360 video experience (Marine Life of the Great Southern Reef). This enables individuals and groups to experience South Australia’s unique marine life without getting in the water.

- Ensuring our ocean and reef snorkel tours are safe and supervised for people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages from 5 and up. 

Groups with disabilities or requiring extra support

EMS is able to create a package that may include all or some of the below:

- Marine presentation and Virtual Reality (360 video) experience of the Marine Life of the Great Southern Reef

- Pool snorkel classes

- Reef or ocean snorkel*

Some of our more inclusive and beginner-friendly snorkel locations that EMS operates at include Hallett Cove, Seacliff, Second Valley, Port Noarlunga and Stony Point near Whyalla during CuttleFest.

FAQs

Are snorkel tours only for children? Or for adults too?

EMS snorkel tours are for all ages, adults, and children from 5 years and up. Children 5 - 15 years will need to be accompanied and supervised in the water by a paying adult. 

What concessions are available?

A concession is defined as a Senior or Australian Health Care Card Holder who holds an Australian Government issued Senior Card, Pension Card, Repatriation Health Card or Veterans Affair card.

A student is defined as any primary or secondary school student or full time tertiary and post-secondary students who have an approved photo ID. 

Companion Card is accepted.

Are warm wetsuits and snorkel gear provided?

Yes, we supply warm wetsuits with boots as well as snorkel gear. You can bring your own.

Will I be cold?

We use wetsuits that keep you snug and warm. If you feel the cold let us know when booking and we can bring extra body liners and hooded vests.

Do I have to wear a wetsuit?

Yes, wetsuits will help you float, protect you from stingers, sunburn, and cuts. If you can’t wear a wetsuit then a vest will be provided.

Can I bring my own wetsuit and snorkel gear?

Yes, we encourage you to bring your own gear. Make sure it is full length and will keep you warm.

Can I wear a weight belt?

EMS does not provide a weight belt.

You can bring your own weight belt If you have a dive certification. Your snorkel leader will need to see the certification and have you sign a form stating that you will wear your own weight belt.

A weight belt cannot be more than 10% of your body weight or make you negatively buoyant.

How deep do you go? How far out?

We stay close (usually within 10-15m) to the reef and jetty at a maximum depth of 6m.

I have never snorkelled before and can’t swim well can I join a tour?

No, but you could sign up for an EMS Snorkel 101 class - an introduction to snorkelling where you are taught in a controlled pool environment. Book via our website.

What is money for my ticket used for?

EMS is a not-for-profit, so all ticket money pays for staff, dive professionals, insurance, equipment storage and volunteer expenses such as training and travel subsidy.

Funding, in-kind support and hundreds of volunteer hours makes it possible to reduce the price of event tickets by up to 30%.

Where do I meet to take part in the tour?

EMS Snorkel leaders will have a registration table set up near the toilets and playground on Heron Way - look for the EMS trailer, marquee tent and banner.