Meet the site
Breaksea Island sits across the eastern entrance to King George Sound, its lighthouse and old keepers' cottages a landmark for every vessel entering Albany. Underwater it offers the widest variety of reef diving in the Albany area, and because the island has sheltered and exposed sides, there is usually somewhere diveable when the wind is not too strong.
Marine Life Network describes several distinct sites. Breaksea Cove, on the south-west corner, runs from 5 to 28 m with plate corals, colourful small fish and caves and overhangs full of invertebrates; it is the easterly-weather choice. On the northern side, west of the landing, Breaksea Boulders is a field of granite blocks in 5-20 m covered with sea fans, sponges and coral plates, with good fish life and often excellent visibility; it is also rated as a fantastic night dive when the weather allows a late trip. The NE side, about 250 m from the eastern end, drops from 2 to 18 m through gutters lined with gorgonian fans and patches of plate coral, with Port Jackson sharks resting on the sand and a seal haul-out where young New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions will buzz divers.
The character throughout is big granite – boulders, gutters, caves and swim-throughs – softened by fans, sponges and encrusting corals, and visibility is generally better than inside the sound. Blue groper, harlequin fish, boarfish, western blue devils, queen snapper and schools of sweep and bullseyes are common, with kingfish and samson fish on the outer edges. The island's more advanced sites – The Cables under the lighthouse, Blue's Canyon on the south-west corner and the Southern Dropoff – are described separately. For most visiting divers, a Breaksea double dive is the highlight of an Albany trip after the HMAS Perth.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Breaksea Island is recorded as Island in Albany & Great Southern. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Breaksea Island suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Breaksea Island 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
New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions, Port Jackson sharks, blue groper, harlequin fish, boarfish, western blue devil, queen snapper, sweep, bullseyes, yellowtail kingfish, samson fish, plate corals, gorgonian fans, sponges
Location
Granite island with a historic lighthouse at the eastern entrance to King George Sound; its sheltered coves, boulder fields and gutters host several of Albany's best reef dives.
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
marinelife.org.auperthscuba.rezdy.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
