Known as the place to go for oysters, Coffin Bay has long drawn seafood lovers to the Eyre Peninsula. Now, there’s a new reason to add it to your itinerary, and it doesn’t require pulling on a wetsuit. Popular glass-bottom boat operator Cuttys Tours offers an Oyster Reef Regeneration experience, giving visitors a front-row seat to one of South Australia’s most important marine restoration projects.
Running from spring through summer and autumn, the new tours depart up to eight times a day from the Coffin Bay Yacht Club Jetty, making them easy to slot into a weekend away or a longer Eyre Peninsula escape. The season has just begun and will continue through to April, offering a relaxed, fully guided way to explore the region’s underwater world from the comfort of a shaded glass-bottom boat.
For anyone curious about marine life but less enthusiastic about cold water and neoprene, this experience hits the sweet spot. The 45-minute tour stays close to shore and offers clear views into the bay, where native angasi oyster reefs are being carefully rebuilt after decades of decline. These shellfish reefs are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world, with an estimated 98 percent of Australia’s historic reefs lost over the past two centuries.
On board, knowledgeable guides walk guests through the history of oyster reefs, how they function, and why they are critical to ocean health. Oyster reefs filter water, stabilise the seabed, and provide shelter and breeding grounds for fish and other marine species. As you glide over the reef sites, you’ll spot the diverse life that now gathers there and learn how restoration is helping the ecosystem recover.
The tour is more than just a passive sightseeing experience. Guests are invited to assist with citizen science research and gain an understanding of how reef regeneration works in practice. It’s an educational experience designed to leave visitors with a deeper appreciation for South Australia’s coastal environments and the work being done to protect them.
Cuttys’ Oyster Reef Regeneration Tour is also a climate-positive experience, with four percent of profits committed directly to environmental restoration and habitat protection. Accessibility has been front of mind too, with the vessel offering full shade, ample seating, and wheelchair access (limited spaces, pre-booking required), making it an inclusive option for families and travellers of all ages.
Prices start from $39 for children, with adult tickets priced at $59, concessions at $49, and family passes available for $179. Infants aged three and under travel free. Tours run throughout summer and autumn, with visitors encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before departure.
For many, this will be the first time seeing an underwater ecosystem through a glass-bottom boat, an experience that’s often described as perspective-shifting. It’s a chance to be part of the solution rather than the problem, contributing in a small but meaningful way to the future health of Coffin Bay.
