Beach Number:

sa0231

Includes Beaches:

West Beach West Beach (south) West Beach (marina) West Beach

State/Region:

SA - West Beach

Post Code:

5024

General Beach Hazard Rating:

3/10 ( Least hazardous)

Beach

The beach north of the Patawalonga Creek mouth runs relatively straight for 2 km to the West Beach marina, and another 2.5 km to the Torrens River mouth (Fig. 4.67). The continuous beach is backed by a combination of dunes and seawalls, and fronted by a surf zone contain two shallow bars and troughs. The beach faces west-southwest and receives low winds waves averaging 0.5 m, and higher waves during strong westerly winds. The waves maintain a double bar system, with a unusually attached inner bar, a shallow trough and shallow outer bar. The bars slowly migrate to the north causing the configuration of the beach and surf zone to change over time. Rips occasional cut the inner bar following higher waves, and strong currents can flow in the trough, particularly on a falling tide.

Swimming

The main beach at the surf club offers the best swimming conditions well clear of the breakwaters, groynes and boat traffic to the south. There are occasional water pollution problems on southern West Beach and at the Torrens mouth.

Surfing

Only during strong onshore winds.

Fishing

The training wall, marina breakwater and groyne are all very popular fishing spots.

General

A beach that has been modified by the river entrance walls and new marina, but still offers 2.5km of natural beach and the added protection of the patrolled area.