More than 100 surfers and beachgoers have fallen ill after a bizarre sea foam washed up along parts of South Australia’s coastline, sparking beach closures and a growing environmental investigation.
The mysterious foam appeared at Waitpinga Beach, nearly 80km south of Adelaide, and has since spread to other nearby locations including the popular surfing destination of Parsons Beach.
Surfers reported experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms, including persistent coughing, sore throats, blurred vision, and nausea after entering the water.
“I’d say that pretty much every single person that went in the water at Waitpinga, bar one young fella, has reported the same symptoms,” said one affected surfer.
The strange phenomenon has coincided with a disturbing number of dead marine animals, including fish, octopuses, and seahorses, washing up on the sand. A thick, murky foam has been seen blanketing hundreds of metres of coastline, accompanied by what some described as an oily “slick” on the surface of the water.
Authorities have now closed both Waitpinga and Parsons beaches as a precaution while an investigation is carried out.
South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water suspects the foam could be linked to a microalgal bloom—potentially triggered by a combination of hot weather, stagnant ocean conditions, and an ongoing marine heatwave.
Meanwhile, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions has classified the mass die-off of marine life as a “fish mortality event” and launched a separate probe. Officials say fish deaths of this scale can result from various environmental stressors including temperature spikes, reduced oxygen levels, pollutants, or disease.
A spokesperson for the agency said:
“We are examining several possible causes, including water quality issues and algal blooms. Further testing is underway, and results will be shared as soon as they are available.”
While investigations continue, locals have been advised to avoid the water until further notice.
Environmental groups are now calling for urgent water testing and long-term monitoring, raising fears that this may not be an isolated event, but a symptom of broader ecological disruption linked to climate change and warming seas.
More updates are expected in the coming days as testing continues along South Australia’s affected coastlines.
