Meet the site
Blue Holes is Kalbarri's best snorkelling spot: a limestone reef platform just south of town where erosion has carved lagoon pools – the 'blue holes' – that fill with clear water inside the protection of the outer reef. Since 2000 the area has been protected as the Kalbarri Blue Holes Fish Habitat Protection Area, with fishing prohibited, and the Kalbarri visitor centre notes more than 70 fish species, 11 types of coral and western rock lobsters.
The pools are shallow – mostly 1-3 m – with ledges and overhangs where crays hide, patches of hard and soft coral and sponges, and a mix of subtropical and temperate fish: wrasse, dart, butterflyfish, herring, tailor, damselfish and juvenile reef fish, with the occasional octopus. The small lagoon gives what one guide calls an 'aquarium-like' experience.
It suits families and snorkellers of any experience in calm conditions, and there is little reason to bring scuba. The limestone is sharp, so reef shoes are essential. Facilities include a shade shelter, picnic tables and a toilet block. Snakes can be encountered on the dune paths.
Nearby Red Bluff and Jakes Point are primarily surfing and scenic spots, and the Kalbarri National Park coastal cliffs to the south are spectacular but unsafe for entry. The Zuytdorp wreck lies far to the north below the Zuytdorp Cliffs. Kalbarri has no dive shop or air station, so scuba divers must bring filled cylinders from Geraldton; for snorkellers, a mask, fins, reef shoes and a rash vest are all that is needed. The protection area's rules also prohibit collecting shells and marine life.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Blue Holes (Kalbarri) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Kalbarri & Shark Bay. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Blue Holes (Kalbarri) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Blue Holes (Kalbarri) 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
Western rock lobster, wrasse, dart, butterflyfish, herring, tailor, damselfish, octopus, hard and soft corals, sponges
Location
Limestone reef platform with sheltered lagoon pools 2 km south of Kalbarri town, protected as the Kalbarri Blue Holes Fish Habitat Protection Area (no fishing); 70+ fish species and 11 coral types in 1-5 m.
Facilities nearby
Car park, shade shelter, picnic tables, toilet block; town shops 2 km. No air fills in Kalbarri.
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
madmackie.com.aukalbarri.org.aulibrary.dpird.wa.gov.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.