Meet the site
Barrow Island Marine Park covers the western side of Barrow Island, just south of the Montebellos, and is entirely a sanctuary zone — the highest proportion of no-take area of any WA marine park. It includes Biggada Reef, one of the two significant fringing reefs in the Montebello/Barrow reserve system. From late July, large numbers of green turtles gather in Turtle Bay to breed, and hawksbill and flatback turtles also use the bay.
Barrow Island itself hosts the Gorgon gas project and is a Class A nature reserve; access to Barrow and nearby Boodie, Middle and Double islands is not permitted, and camping is prohibited. DBCA nonetheless notes that visitors can dive, snorkel and swim the reef from vessels. With no operators, it is a private-boat destination only.
About the Montebellos: the group of more than 200 small limestone islands and islets lies 120 km west of Dampier and is protected as the Montebello Islands Marine Park, with more than 150 hard coral species, over 450 fish species, 170 echinoderms and 630 molluscs recorded. Flatback, green and hawksbill turtles nest here, and humpback, minke and Bryde's whales, dolphins and dugong frequent the waters. The islands carry a unique history: British atomic tests were conducted on and near Trimouille and Alpha islands in 1952 (Operation Hurricane) and 1956 (Operation Mosaic), and visitors are advised to visit rather than camp on those islands. Pearl farming has operated in the lagoons since the early 1900s.
Planning notes: Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated advanced. Expect to spend most of the dive around 8 m, with a maximum of about 15 m. It can only be reached on a multi-day expedition or liveaboard, so it is usually one of several sites dived on the trip and choices are made by the crew on the day. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: April–October. Traffic: remote/expedition only.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Barrow Island Marine Park (Biggada Reef & Turtle Bay) is recorded as Reef in Pilbara & Dampier. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Barrow Island Marine Park (Biggada Reef & Turtle Bay) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Barrow Island Marine Park (Biggada Reef & Turtle Bay) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Green turtles (breeding aggregations from late July), hawksbill and flatback turtles, fringing reef corals and fish
Location
Fringing reef (Biggada Reef) and Turtle Bay on the west coast of Barrow Island, protected entirely as a sanctuary zone; landing on the island is prohibited.
Facilities nearby
None – remote uninhabited islands. Radiation warning signs on Trimouille and Alpha islands.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.