The present jetty is the third to have been built at Normanville. The first jetty, begun in 1853 and completed in 1856, was washed away by a storm that same year. The second jetty was built later that year close to the site of the present jetty but proved to be unsatisfactory. In 1868 the jetty was replaced with a new one, which was named the 'Yankalilla Jetty'. 'Port Yankalilla' was an important port for a number of years.

The fierce storm of 1948 caused substantial damage to the jetty. Repairs were carried out but a few years later a storm washed away the centre portion. The jetty remained in this state until 1974, when as the result of an ultimatum from the Harbours Board and petition from the local community, the Yankalilla Council began repairs. The land end portion of the jetty was repaired and two bays were added to form a short promenade jetty. The seaward end of the jetty was removed.

Photograph 2001 by Charles Harvey.