At Point Malcolm the Adelaide coast protrudes more than 1 km seaward. The older suburb of Semaphore is located on the point, which together with Largs Bay make up 7 km on continuous residential development (Fig. 4.74). This entire area is situated on the Lefevre Peninsula a 10 km long, up to 1 km wide accumulation of sand that has been deposited over the past 6 000 years, by the northern movement of sand from as far south as Seacliff. This movement is continuing today, the result of which are clearly evident in the wide low dune fronting the beach, and wide beach and multiple shallow bars. The sand in now accumulating under the jetties and against the North Haven breakwater, where the beach has built out 400 m seaward is the past 20 years.
This section of coast receives only low waves, usually less than 0.5 m. Occasional higher waves are sufficient to rework the fine sand into a wide low firm beach, fronted by two to three shore parallel shallow bars and troughs, extending up to 500 m seaward of the beach. Two jetties cross the beach at Semaphore and Largs Bay, the latter is now located within the shallow bar section. The original Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club (called Taperoo) which was located north of the jetty, was abandoned when the beach moved too far seaward of the club house.
The new Semaphore surf club is located on Point Malcolm (232E), south of Fort Granville and adjacent to the caravan park. It is fronted by a foreshore reserve, wide beach and wide shallow surf zone with three shallow bars and trough off the beach (Figs. 4.75 & 4.76).
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.