Beyond expectations, the cuttlefish amazed students and teachers while they lurked the water.

The encounter helped students gain information for a cuttlefish project presented at the SA Youth Environment Conference in Adelaide last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The special interest environment group, teachers, assistant principal and dive guide gathered at the dive shop at 9am on Wednesday.

Once fitted out with thick body wear, the group ignored the cold water and entered the cephalapod habitat.

Their striking colours and ability to camouflage captivated the students like nothing they had seen.

"It was amazing," student Hanna Millwood said.

The creature's size, mating habbits, grace and behaviour were all part of the experience.

"I didn't expect them to be so big," student Sotiria Vlochoulis said.

"It was really surreal."

Students were also astonished at the significant numbers of cuttlefish.

"There were so many there, I thought we would only see one or two," student Amy Nicol said.

"It was seriously the best thing I've ever done in my life."

These impressions came as no surprise to their guide and local diver Tony Bramley.

Mr Bramley said the students got a lot out of the experience and he liked their environmental enthusiasm.

"It's just great to be able to take a group of kids (to see the cuttlefish)," Mr Bramley said.

"They got so much out of it... and that's a reward in its self."

Students became aware why it was important to protect cuttlefish as Point Lowly was their prime-breeding place.

Amy said her father supported the desalination plant and he questioned why she would be interested in cuttlefish.

She said she wasn't worried about the welfare of cuttlefish until she got the close up experience, which changed her view significantly.

She said there were 1000 places a desalination plant could be placed, but yet there's only one place in the world this 'distinct genetic pool' gathered.

Like Amy, the students views changed after the snorkel and they encouraged locals to see for themselves.

"We can (now) share our own experience and not someone elses," Hannah said.

Environment group teacher Sarah Bradbury was just as amazed as the students.

"They're busting to go there again," Ms Bradbury said.