The Lady Kinnaird was a 680-ton iron barque that was wrecked near Port Neill in January 1880. The Marine Life Society notes that her full crew survived, and that her remains lie in about 6 m opposite the Port Neill Golf Club, reachable by a walking trail that follows the coastline from the Port Neill jetty to the wreck site. Despite more than 140 years in the water, the Society describes extensive iron plating, chain, masts, winches and an anchor.

These remains form a low but interesting wreck site on the sand and seagrass, colonised by algae and encrusting organisms. Old wives, magpie perch, leatherjackets and schools of small fish shelter among the plates, with crabs and octopus beneath, and eagle rays and Port Jackson sharks sometimes cross the surrounding seagrass. It is an ideal wreck for Open Water divers and snorkellers – shallow, easy and historically evocative – and a fine example of the many sailing ships lost in Spencer Gulf during the grain trade era.

Because the depth is shallow and the site close to shore, it can be done as a shore dive by fit divers, though a small boat makes it easier to find. Like all historic shipwrecks in South Australia, the Lady Kinnaird is protected: look and photograph, but leave everything in place. Combine it with a dive under the Port Neill jetty for a relaxed day.

The coastal trail is worth walking before the dive to spot the site from above on a calm, clear day, when the darker patch of wreckage can sometimes be seen against the sand. Westerly weather gives the best visibility on this coast, and summer water in the low 20s makes it a comfortable dive for visiting families.

From Port Neill jetty follow the coastal walking trail north towards the golf club; the wreck lies offshore opposite the club in about 6 m. Shore divers should scout the entry and swim out on a compass bearing; a small boat launched at Port Neill (5 minutes) makes finding the wreck easier. Port Neill is about 590 km from Adelaide and 90 km north of Port Lincoln.

The east coast of Eyre Peninsula faces Spencer Gulf, so easterly, north-easterly and south-easterly winds blow onshore, raise chop and stir the sand and seagrass, while westerly winds blow offshore and give the flattest, clearest water. There is little ocean swell this far inside the gulf, although strong south-easterlies can produce a short, steep sea. Tides are moderate, and shallow jetties are easiest around mid to high water.

Summer afternoons often bring south-easterly sea breezes, so mornings are best; winter has more westerly weather, which suits this coast, but colder water (about 13-14°C).

Locate the wreckage at 6 m, follow the line of plating, chain and fallen masts, and look for the winches and anchor before returning to shore or the boat.

No operator; independent divers and locals.