AUSTRALIAN DESTINATIONS
Diving in Western Australia
Explore 434 listed dive sites and find the local knowledge to help plan your visit.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Choose a region before planning a coast-to-coast itinerary
Western Australia’s directory ranges from Perth and Rottnest to Ningaloo, offshore groups and the south coast. Use those regions as separate planning units. A long list of attractive places can hide a demanding transport schedule, especially when boat departures, equipment collection and onward travel must all connect.
Choose the setting, then the trip Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 434 published site records across Western Australia. The recorded categories include reef (125), wreck (95), shore/rock platform (86), island (34). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Start with one of the regional pages below. State-wide totals are useful for browsing, but the actual choice should be made at the level of an operator, a site and a proposed itinerary.
Research operators in Western Australia →Ask before booking
- Which town is the practical base for this departure?
- What transport and baggage limits apply?
- What is the plan if the departure is delayed?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Perth and nearby regions
Compare local operators, Rottnest departures and shore records by the actual meeting point. Confirm whether transport is included.
Ningaloo and the north
The Exmouth and Coral Bay pages provide different starting points. Ask which activity and departure you are booking rather than assuming every wildlife experience is a scuba dive.
South coast and offshore groups
Resolve travel, equipment support and departure availability early. An offshore destination in a directory does not establish a regularly available visitor service.
Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in Western Australia?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 434 published records are research options, not a list of trips available today. Match the plan to your training, recent experience and the operator’s current requirements.
When should I visit Western Australia for diving?
Choose dates with a provider who runs the activity you want, then discuss seasonal patterns, recent conditions and alternative itineraries. A generic best-month claim cannot establish the conditions at your exact site or guarantee a wildlife encounter.
Can I use these maps to enter or navigate a dive site?
No. Recorded and approximate map positions support orientation only. Confirm the exact access, permissions, meeting point and route with the responsible local provider or manager.
Regional planning context: Tourism Western Australia — maritime heritage and shipwrecks ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Find your region
Dive sites to explore
WallRowley Shoals
Sheer Delight (Clerke Reef)
Named Rowley Shoals site listed by Diveplanit and Divernet
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformMargaret River & Augusta
Smiths Beach
Rocky-headland snorkelling at a classic Capes surf beach, with offshore reefs for boat divers.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
Snapper Peak (Mindarie)
An offshore Mindarie reef with a reef peak at 14–20 m, rarely dived and with good fish life.
Details need confirmationReefRowley Shoals
South Park (Clerke Reef)
Named Clerke Reef site listed by Diveplanit and Divernet among Rowley Shoals dives.
Details need confirmationDriftNingaloo – Exmouth
Sponge Gardens (Muiron Islands)
A tidal drift over a sponge and gorgonian garden.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
Straggler Rocks Reef
The closest offshore reef to Fremantle, with ledges on its seaward side and several historic wrecks within a few hundred metres.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformPerth
Sues Groyne
An easy groyne snorkel close to Fremantle with dense macro life on the boulders.
Details need confirmationReefKalbarri & Shark Bay
Surf Point Sanctuary Zone (Dirk Hartog Island)
Shallow coral and abundant fish in a sanctuary zone at the tip of WA's largest island.
Details need confirmationReefBroome & Kimberley
Swirl Rock
Gorgonian-draped ledges at 37 m.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
The 23 Metre Ledge (Mindarie)
An offshore Mindarie reef with a deep ledge at 18–23 m, rarely dived and with good fish life.
Details need confirmationPinnacle/BommieRowley Shoals
The Bommie (Rowley Shoals)
Named Rowley Shoals site listed by Diveplanit and Divernet, centred on a large bommie.
Details need confirmationReefNingaloo – Exmouth
The Boulders (Lighthouse Bay)
A lesser-known Lighthouse Bay site of coral outcrops.
Details need confirmationReefNingaloo – Coral Bay
The Canyons (Coral Bay)
Spur-and-groove canyons on the outer reef near Coral Bay.
Details need confirmationReefMargaret River & Augusta
The Honeycombs (Canal Rocks)
A cave-riddled limestone outcrop in 6 m, a long shore swim from Canal Rocks.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
The Lumps (Marmion)
Easy inshore bommies near Hillarys with overhangs, swim-throughs and Port Jackson sharks and lobsters under the ledges.
Details need confirmationReefNingaloo – Exmouth
The Spit (Muiron Islands)
A ledge with swim-throughs where grey nurse sharks rest.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
The Wall (Mindarie)
An offshore Mindarie reef with a wall with a good variety of corals and sponges at 15–21 m, rarely dived and with good fish life.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformEsperance & Recherche Archipelago
Thistle Cove (Cape Le Grand)
A quiet granite-sheltered cove with easy snorkelling beside Whistling Rock.
Details need confirmationIslandEsperance & Recherche Archipelago
Thomas Island & Cape Le Grand Islands
Rarely dived granite islands off Cape Le Grand in the inner Recherche Archipelago.
Details need confirmationReefNingaloo – Exmouth
Three Fins
Shallow west-side reef with cracks and ledges.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
Three Mile Reef (Marmion)
The outermost reef of Marmion Marine Park, with ledges and caves and usually the clearest water in the park.
Details need confirmationShore/Rock PlatformAlbany & Great Southern
Tourist Rock (Cheynes Beach)
Easy granite shore dive at a quiet holiday beach, with Bald Island and the Arpenteur wreck nearby.
Details need confirmationReefRottnest Island
Tuna Hut
Caves, swim-throughs and crayfish near the West End seal colony - the classic second dive after Shark Cave.
Details need confirmationReefPerth
Wanneroo Reef (Marmion)
An inshore Marmion reef with ledges and overhangs, a few minutes by boat from Hillarys.
Details need confirmation