Fisheries Beach is a small beach east of Cape Jervis with a surprisingly rich history. The Marine Life Network explains that a whaling station operated here in the 1840s and 1850s, and from 1862 the beach became the shipping port for ore from the Talisker silver-lead mine. Vessels were beached at high tide and loaded or unloaded by horse and cart, and the ruins of a steam engine, boiler and crusher remain ashore.

Underwater, that history is visible as discarded anchors, cartwheels, chain and other artefacts, almost 100 years old or more, spread across the bottom. The Federation describes a line of rocks on the right of the sandy beach running about 50 m into the water, and a reef 300-400 m offshore running parallel to the shore. Depths range from 5 m near shore to about 18 m further out.

Reef life is described as limited, and the Marine Life Network suggests the trip offshore is more interesting than the reef itself, largely because of the artefacts. Expect typical southern Fleurieu fish such as old wives, sweep, magpie perch, wrasse and leatherjackets, and possibly seadragons and rays over the sand and weed. The site suits Open Water divers comfortable with a long surface swim and compass navigation, and anyone interested in maritime archaeology.

Artefacts are protected historic material: photograph them but leave them in place. Current can run offshore, so time the dive for slack water. Ashore, the ruins of the mine's engine and crusher make an interesting short walk after the dive.

Cape Jervis is about 1 hour 45 minutes (about 110 km) south of Adelaide at the end of Main South Road. A sign in Cape Jervis points to Fisheries (Fishery) Beach, reached by a short gravel road east of the town. Park at the beach and enter to the right of the sandy beach beside the line of rocks that runs about 50 m into the water; the reef lies 300-400 m straight out from there, a long surface swim.

Fisheries Beach faces north-west into the entrance of Gulf St Vincent near Backstairs Passage. It is sheltered from southerly swell but exposed to north-westerly to westerly winds. Tidal streams run strongly through Backstairs Passage, and the Marine Life Network notes current affects the offshore areas, so dive near slack water.

Visibility is often good because of oceanic water from the passage.

Enter beside the rock line and follow it out to its end, then swim out over sand to the parallel reef at 300-400 m. Explore along the reef and the scattered artefacts, turn at half gas and navigate back by compass.

No regular operator; SDFSA-listed shore dive visited occasionally by clubs.