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Piccaninnie Ponds

Piccaninnie Ponds

Both Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds are two popular freshwater diving sites in the south-eastern region of Australia. At the Piccaninnie Ponds, you can dive or snorkel across the chasm and down to check out underwater creatures and plants.

The best part of the Piccaninnie Ponds is its crystal clear waters, which gets slowly filtered naturally through the limestone. This process has occurred for thousands of years and it has resulted in the formation of limestone forming underneath the pond water.

Piccaninnie Ponds Cave Diving & Snorkelling Permits, Mount Gambier

The pressure from the uprising of freshwater to the surface has resulted in the erosion in the limestone. This, in turn, resulted in the chasm formation. The Piccaninnie Ponds also boasts a large underwater cavern known as the Cathedral. This was also formed due to erosion.

Divers can get many picturesque views of its beautifully sculptured limestone walls. The chasm at the Piccaninnie Ponds also has an abundance of green algae on its white walls.

With clear underwater visibility of up to 40 metres, this pond is one of the spectacular and stunning freshwater diving sites in South Australia. As one of the largest freshwater springs, this pond is a popular diving destination amongst both novice and experienced divers.

A permit is required to snorkel and dive at Piccaninnie Ponds and can be issued on a single or annual basis. The Fee for snorkelling is $14.50 for a single permit and $56 for an annual permit and for diving is $38.50 for a single and $79.50 for an annual permit. You must purchase your permit before arrival and they can be purchased from National Parks SA.

The diving time slots are for 60 minutes and there is a limit of 2 sessions per person, per day. Bookings are essential. Diving permits are only issued to divers who are current financial members of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) and rated at sinkhole category.

The Piccaninnie Ponds truly represent the region’s unique geology and spectacular hydrology.

About the author

Michael Jones

Michael created and runs the Mount Gambier Point website, as well as the Holiday Point travel brand that incorporates a network of 16 location based travel information and attraction websites around Australia, Asia, and around the world.

With 25+ years of online experience and a passion for travel (having been born in Mount Gambier, lived there and reguarly visits family), Michael not only researches and writes content for the website, he also tinkers behind the scenes with the website functionality & design.

Please reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

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What is the Piccaninnie Ponds address?
What are the Piccaninnie Ponds opening hours?
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Bookings are required for snorkelling and diving.

Please visit our website for more information on the Piccaninnie Ponds.
What are the Piccaninnie Ponds entry prices?
Snorkelling (Single Permit): $14.50
Snorkelling (Annual Permit): $56
Scuba Diving (Single Permit): $38.50
Scuba Diving (Annual Permit): $79.50

Please visit our website for more information on the Piccaninnie Ponds.
What is the Piccaninnie Ponds phone number?

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