Rottnest Island (Thomson Bay settlement)
51 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Rottnest Island (Thomson Bay settlement) →AUSTRALIAN DESTINATIONS
Diving in Western Australia
Explore 434 listed dive sites and find the local knowledge to help plan your visit.
Custom YouDive mascot art inspired by Western Australia. An imaginative illustration, not a photograph or map of this destination.
Your bearings, in a minute
Western Australia at a glance
Start with the local site mix, explore the map and find people to ask about your trip.
- Explore
- 434 site records
- Recorded settings
- Reef · Wreck · Shore/Rock Platform
- Map coverage
- 434 locations to explore
- Plan with local help
- Meet the listed operators
Directory counts describe published records, not bookable trips. Location confidence is shown separately in the map list. How we check information →
Sources, authorship and review status
Prepared by YouDive editorial with AI assistance. No firsthand visit, equipment test or instructor review is implied.
Independent specialist review: pending. We publish a reviewer’s name, qualifications, date and exact review scope only after the review has actually happened.
Who can contribute and how reviews work →Find your bearings
Explore Western Australia on the map
Compare where the recorded sites sit, then open a site to read its access and source notes. Locations are for orientation, not marine navigation or entry instructions.
434 matching records · 434 with a map location · 0 without a usable position.
10 Metre Spire
Pinnacle/Bommie · 10–27 m
Recorded location
100s and 1000s
Reef · 8–14 m
Approximate area
20 Metre Ridge
Reef · 20–32 m
Recorded location
23rd Parallel
Reef · 10–24 m
Approximate area
Adele Island
Island · 3–20 m
Recorded location
Agincourt Wreck
Wreck · 4–6 m
Recorded location
Ahwina Tug Wreck (Gull Rock)
Wreck · 0.5–3 m
Recorded location
Albany Artificial Reef (Ledge Beach – planned)
Artificial Reef · Not recorded
Approximate area
ALC40 & Gay Dragon Wrecks (Bicton)
Wreck · 7–8.5 m
Recorded location
Alkimos Wreck
Wreck · 0–7 m
Recorded location
Ammo Jetty
Jetty/Pier · 1–9 m
Approximate area
Anemone Lump (Easter Group)
Pinnacle/Bommie · 3–38 m
Approximate area
The local notebook
Where should you start in Western Australia?
Use the actual places attached to the local records to narrow your research. These are recorded nearby towns and areas, not verified departure points or accommodation recommendations.
Exmouth
44 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Exmouth →Broome
34 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Broome →Albany
26 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Albany →Esperance
21 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Esperance →Coral Bay
20 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Coral Bay →Different outings to look into
| Local example | Recorded nearby place | Recorded access | Follow the evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roebuck Bay Flying Boat Wrecks (deep-water Catalinas) | Broome | Boat | Recorded source ↗ |
| Albany Artificial Reef (Ledge Beach – planned) | Albany | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Cathedral Rocks Caverns | Rottnest Island (Thomson Bay settlement) | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Cardabia Passage | Coral Bay | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
How to use this shortlist
Choose the named outing that interests you first. Compare its recorded place and access with your accommodation plans, then obtain the actual meeting address and schedule from the provider. The site links show the underlying depth, location confidence and source notes. Similar town names or map positions do not establish that two outings can be combined in a day.
A closer look at Western Australia
Get a feel for the diving
Our Western Australia directory currently includes 434 published site records. The largest recorded category is reef (125 records). Use the mix below to decide what you would like to read about first.
Western Australia: what’s in the directory?
A visual guide to recorded site types. Counts show coverage, not popularity or current availability.
Source: published YouDive directory records for Western Australia. Bars use the same scale within this graphic; the longest is the largest category, not 100% of the destination.
A few local records to compare
Start with Roebuck Bay Flying Boat Wrecks (deep-water Catalinas), Albany Artificial Reef (Ledge Beach – planned), Cathedral Rocks Caverns. These are examples from different recorded categories, not a recommended route or a list of the best sites. Open each record for its sources, map and review notes.
| Site | Recorded type | Access | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roebuck Bay Flying Boat Wrecks (deep-water Catalinas) | Aircraft Wreck | Boat | 5–14 m |
| Albany Artificial Reef (Ledge Beach – planned) Details need confirmation | Artificial Reef | Boat (day trip) | Depth not recorded |
| Cathedral Rocks Caverns | Cave/Cavern | Boat (day trip) | 2–18 m |
| Cardabia Passage Details need confirmation | Drift | Boat (day trip) | 5–20 m |
How the recorded depths compare
A dot shows a recorded maximum. A line joins the recorded minimum and maximum when both are available. These are site descriptions, not target depths or certification limits.
The table above contains the same depth values. Depth alone cannot establish suitability, and records may require correction. Source: the linked site records.
Pick a WA base before you pack
Western Australia is a collection of very different trip ideas. Use a specific region to narrow the search, then make the departure, equipment support and travel arrangements the centre of your plan.
Name the activity you want
Be clear whether you want certified scuba diving, a course, snorkelling or a wildlife excursion. Similar photographs can advertise different activities. If friends are travelling together, list each person’s intended activity separately and ask whether a shared departure is possible. That makes the quote easier to compare and helps avoid booking a memorable-looking trip that does not include the experience you wanted.
Connect the island or coast with the departure
A ferry, accommodation booking and dive trip may need separate reservations. Check how their meeting and return times fit together and which operator supplies each part. For a coastal road trip, anchor the diving around one confirmed base at a time. A broad region name is a browsing label, not a transfer estimate or a promise of equipment support in every town.
Reserve the details that matter
Ask about hire sizes, guiding, gas and equipment services relevant to your actual plans. Record the response and its date rather than assuming a service from a business name. Keep an alternative activity in the itinerary and understand the terms for a changed departure. Buying flexibility in the travel plan can be more useful than collecting extra site names.
Three conversations worth having before you book
Island visit
Do the passenger transfer and dive booking connect?
Check each supplier’s timetable.
Coastal road trip
Which town supports the actual outing?
Build transport around the meeting point.
Wildlife booking
Is this scuba, snorkelling or sightseeing?
Compare the right activity and inclusions.
From “that looks lovely” to a plan
Make Western Australia your kind of dive trip
Find your starting point, meet the local options and keep your ideas together. You do not need to have the whole trip worked out yet.
Where are you on your diving journey?
I’m just getting started
Find out how a first course works, compare your options and get comfortable asking questions.
I’m ready to explore more
Connect your next outing with useful reading and a conversation about the right training and support.
I’m thinking about teaching
Explore the professional pathway and prepare better questions for a training centre.
These are learning paths to explore, not prerequisites for every local site. Confirm the actual course, instructor and your readiness with the provider.
People to talk to about Western Australia
A few operator profiles from this state or territory to start exploring. Shown alphabetically, not as a quality ranking. Ask about the specific trip or course you want.
Listed in this state or territory
ADRENO Perth
O'Connor
An equipment retailer with a spearfishing and freediving emphasis. Primarily retail rather than a training centre.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
Batavia Coast Dive & Watersports
Geraldton
A Geraldton business providing equipment, training and support for divers heading to the Abrolhos Islands.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
Bremer Bay Dive
Bremer Bay
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
Broome Historical Walking Tours
Broome
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Let’s put the pieces together
Start with the place and your questions. Add dates and prices once you have spoken with the people running the trip.
Open my trips
Creates a new trip with this destination, useful reading and starter questions. Saved on this browser; export a backup from My trips.
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
Albany & Great Southern38 sitesBroome & Kimberley21 sitesEsperance & Recherche Archipelago22 sitesGeographe Bay & Busselton22 sitesGeraldton & Abrolhos Islands22 sitesKalbarri & Shark Bay11 sitesMandurah & Peel6 sitesMargaret River & Augusta27 sitesNingaloo – Coral Bay20 sitesNingaloo – Exmouth44 sitesNullarbor Caves6 sitesPerth82 sitesPilbara & Dampier31 sitesRottnest Island52 sitesRowley Shoals18 sitesTurquoise Coast12 sites
Dive sites to explore
Search within Western Australia, or narrow the list to a recorded dive type. Open a site for its map, sources and access notes.
434 matching site records. Listings do not confirm current access or availability.
WA
Wreck
WreckRottnest Island
City of York Wreck
Masts, yards, rigging, windlass, anchor, stern and rudder of an 1899 iron barque spread down a shallow reef slope.
WADrift
DriftRowley Shoals
Clerke Channel Drift
A fast flood-tide drift through bommies into the lagoon.
WAWall
WallRowley Shoals
Clerke Wall
A vertical atoll wall with pelagics in 30 m+ visibility.
WACave/Cavern
Cave/CavernNullarbor Caves
Cocklebiddy Cave
A straight, gin-clear flooded tunnel over 6 km long – once the world's longest known underwater cave.
WAReef
ReefRowley Shoals
Cod Hole (Mermaid Reef)
Bumphead parrotfish and sharks over white sand, ending in a fast drift.
WAReef
ReefNingaloo – Exmouth
Cod Spot
Friendly giant potato cod and a manta cleaning station on the Muirons' signature reef.
WAWreck
WreckPerth
Conference Wreck
A collapsed but recognisable 1855 iron barque hulk on kelp-covered reef, 10 minutes from Mindarie.
WAWreck
WreckPilbara & Dampier
Crown of England
A cyclone-wrecked sailing ship with anchor, masts and bow above water.
WAReef
ReefRottnest Island
Crystal Palace
Rottnest's signature cavern reef: hundreds of metres of limestone chambers and swim-throughs lit by light shafts and full of…
WAWreck
WreckPerth
D9 Dredge Wreck
An intact, upright 51 m dredge in 12 m in the shelter of Cockburn Sound, with good fish life and a strong reputation as a night…
WAWreck
WreckRottnest Island
Denton Holme Wreck
The standing bow of an 1890 iron barque rising almost to the surface, a spread of cargo and plates, and a shallow cave system on…
WAWreck
WreckPilbara & Dampier
Eddystone
A triple-expansion engine and bent propeller shaft swept by giant trevally.
WAWreck
WreckPerth
Eglinton Wreck
The oldest wreck on the north-metro coast, an 1852 settler ship, with large reef caves beside it.
WAJetty/Pier
Jetty/PierEsperance & Recherche Archipelago
Esperance Jetty
Leafy seadragons and a dedicated dive trail at the end of Esperance's new 415 m jetty, a short walk from the dive shop.
WAWreck
WreckTurquoise Coast
Europa Wreck (Three Breaks Reef)
An 1897 iron barque on a reef with a cargo field of bottles, a swim-through and a natural sink to 14 m.
WAJetty/Pier
Jetty/PierNingaloo – Exmouth
Exmouth Navy Pier
Consistently rated among the world's top pier dives: a Defence-protected forest of pylons packed with big groper, sharks and…
WAWreck
WreckPerth
Gemini Wreck
An upturned 36 m hopper barge in 30 m of often clear blue water, surrounded by schools of samson fish and kingfish.
WAShore/Rock Platform
Shore/Rock PlatformAlbany & Great Southern
Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks (William Bay)
A turquoise granite-sheltered pool with easy, shallow snorkelling – one of WA's best-known beaches.
WAWreck
WreckGeraldton & Abrolhos Islands
Hadda Wreck (Beacon Island)
Iron knees of an 1877 guano barque amid lush coral gardens in a sanctuary zone near Beacon Island.
WAShore/Rock Platform
Shore/Rock PlatformMargaret River & Augusta
Hamelin Bay Jetty & Stingrays
Large smooth and black stingrays and eagle rays gliding around the old jetty piles in waist-deep water.
WAWreck
WreckPerth
Highland Forest Wreck
The kelp-covered bow of a barque on which Joseph Conrad once served, next to good reef caves and swim-throughs.
WAWreck
WreckAlbany & Great Southern
HMAS Perth Wreck
A 133 m Vietnam-veteran destroyer sitting upright in 35 m with its bridge, gun mount and engine room intact, plus an interpretive…
WAWreck
WreckGeographe Bay & Busselton
HMAS Swan Wreck
A 113 m warship upright in 31 m with the crow's nest at 8 m and cut-outs for safe penetration - Australia's first purpose-sunk…
WAWreck
WreckRottnest Island
HNLMS K XI Submarine Wreck
A 1924 Dutch colonial submarine, lost for almost 80 years and found in 2025, lying in 38 m with torpedo tubes still visible.