Lifestyle

Get into nature – Ewans Ponds Conservation Park re-opens for divers

By Kate Richards

Posted on November 17, 2020

See rare plant life and native fish at the Ewans Ponds Conservation Park

Just 36km from Mount Gambier, the picturesque Ewans Ponds Conservation Park re-opens for snorkelling and diving this weekend.

The park comprises three limestone spring-fed pools connected by shallow channels. Clear waters enable plant life to thrive, with some of the rarer species are not found growing at such shallow depths anywhere else in the world. The ponds are also home to many small fish and crustaceans.

Be sure to bring a wetsuit as the average temperature of the pools is around 10-15 degrees. So pretty cold.

Guests are allocated an hour to explore the ponds and connecting waterways. Underwater photography is encouraged with people asked to use the hastag #ewenspondsconservationpark to have their posts shared on the Parks SA website.

Information on snorkelling and diving

You’re going to need a permit to snorkel and dive at Ewens Ponds, and you can get one on a single or annual basis.

You’ve got to get a permit and book your dive or snorkel sessions before arriving at the park. Here are the rules:

“Time slots are one hour long, with a maximum of two dives or snorkel sessions per person, per day. Bookings are essential.
If you book two time slots, they may follow each other, but a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 people per diving or snorkelling group is allowed.
You must be out of the water before your time slot expires.
All snorkellers and divers must enter at the first pond and exit at the third pond.
Each snorkeller must wear a full length wet suit, fins, face mask and snorkel. No weight belts to be worn for snorkelling.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Divers must meet the minimum standard of ISO 24801-2 (Autonomous diver) which is equivalent to PADI Open Water Diver, CMAS one star, SSI Open Water Diver or NAUI Scuba Diver.”