Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay is a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped sandy beach in Port Elliot on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, within the Alexandrina Council area. Protected by a breakwater and Pullen Island, it is known for calm waters suitable for swimming and families. The bay was the site of Port Elliot's early port in the 1850s and retains historic jetty remains. It is a central attraction of the town, surrounded by foreshore parkland, cafes and coastal walks.

Visitors can expect a curved sandy bay with calm, sheltered water enclosed by headlands, a breakwater and Pullen Island offshore. The foreshore has a grassy reserve, Norfolk pines, a jetty, and a promenade with cafes and shops along The Strand. The beach is suitable for swimming, wading, beach walks and photography. Views extend to the breakwater, island and historic jetty ruins. The area is compact and walkable, with parkland for picnics and coastal paths linking to nearby beaches.

Horseshoe Bay was the site of Port Elliot's early port established in the 1850s as South Australia's first sea port for the Murray River trade. A breakwater and jetty were constructed to provide shelter, with remnants of the jetty still visible. The port was later superseded by Victor Harbor due to safer anchorage, but the bay remains historically associated with early colonial maritime development on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The bay is a central recreational and community focal point for Port Elliot and the Alexandrina district, valued for family beach culture, foreshore gatherings and coastal heritage. The foreshore reserve and jetty area reflect the town's historic maritime character and ongoing use as a seaside holiday destination on the Fleurieu Peninsula.