Diving & Snorkelling
The diving and snorkelling in Western Australia's surf is unbeatable with thousands of kilometres of coastline, hundreds of nearby islands, an abundant and varied marine life, a mix of temperate and tropical climates and numerous shipwrecks just offshore.
Ningaloo Reef – Easily Accessible
Well-travelled divers will tell you that few experiences rival Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef for high water visibility and aquatic life.
Wade into the refreshing water at Turquoise Bay and you’re floating within a few metres of the Reef. Or join a dive boat and dip into this fascinating underwater kingdom.
The reef is home to an abundace of marine life including the world’s largest fish, the whaleshark, dugong, the lovable dolphins manta rays and turtles.
More than 500 species of fish reflect every colour of the rainbow and respect for the environment is the key to keeping the coral in pristine condition.
Jurien Bay, just a three-hour drive north of Perth, is the hub for a marine park stretching between Wedsge Island and Greenhead. It’s famous for its sea lions, and divers are fascinated by the overhand formation in the limestone caves.
Mettams Pool is a calm snorkelling spot within 30 minutes of Perth city, and is ideal for families and beginners. At Rottnest Island, there’s a range of undersea adventures - numerous calm bays attract snorkellers, whilst boats provide access to deeper seas.
Information plaques can be seen on the ocean bed of the Rottnest shipwreck trail telling stories of the 14 shipwrecks found along its coast.
Cavernous reefs, seagrass meadows and even more shipwrecks surround the islands of Shoalwater Marine Park, just an hour south of Perth. Here you will find penguins and more sea lions.
Within a three hour drive down South to Dunsborough, there’s the Destroyer Escort HMAS Swan – Western Australia’s most famous prepared wreck, which provides divers with an adrenalin rush of meaningful proportion.
The nearby Busselton Jetty has been described as Australia's greatest artificial reef and is host to an awe inspiring forest of vividly coloured tropical and sub tropical corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. The Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory sits eight metres below sea level and gives a superb view of the marine life and coral.
Further afield, Western Australia’s largest prepared wreck is the HMAS Perth, sunk to 36 metres at Albany on the state’s south coast.
If you travel on further east to Esperance you will find a great place to snorkel among sea-dragons. Here you can also explore one of the best rated dives along the Western Australian coast for advanced divers - Sanko Harvest.
The Abrolhos Islands near Geraldton are home to a thriving cray fishing industry, and also some of the most breathtaking diving sites in the state.
The untouched and beautiful coral atolls of Rowley Shoals is a must for diving enthusiasts staying in Broome. Boat Charter operators provide the best option for access to the Shoal's remote location.
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