Meet the site
Burns Rocks sit about 1.5 km off Burns Beach at the northern end of Marmion Marine Park and are one of the places where Australian sea lions haul out near Perth. The Marine Life Network describes a 5–10 m dive with inshore shallows and seaward reefs of ledges and broken reef, requiring fine weather, with the exposed seaward reefs more challenging. It also lists Roger's Ledge, north-west of the rocks, as a 4–7 m reef used by sea lions as a haul-out area.
The limestone reefs have ledges, broken reef and small overhangs covered in kelp and algae. Fish include buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, herring cale, western blue devils, old wives and leatherjackets, with western rock lobster in the crevices and dhufish on deeper edges. Sea lions often investigate divers and snorkellers, and dolphins are common.
Ocean Reef has since been developed into a large marina (Ocean Reef Marina), which changes shore access at Ocean Reef itself; the offshore reefs remain reachable by boat from its ramp. The shore reef at Burns Beach now has its own row.
Burns Rocks suit Open Water divers with their own boats who want a wildlife-focused reef dive in the quieter north of the park. As with all sea lion sites, keep 10 m away, never approach animals on the rocks and do not feed them.
Water temperatures range from about 17 °C in late winter to 22–23 °C in late summer; a 7 mm suit with a hood is comfortable for most of the year.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Burns Rocks & Ocean Reef reefs is recorded as Reef in Perth. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- 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 Burns Rocks & Ocean Reef reefs 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 Burns Rocks & Ocean Reef reefs 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
Australian sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, herring cale, western blue devils, old wives, leatherjackets, western rock lobster, dhufish
Location
Offshore reefs and rocks about 1.5 km off Burns Beach at the northern end of Marmion Marine Park, launched from Ocean Reef, with a sea lion haul-out and Roger's Ledge to the north-west.
Facilities nearby
Ocean Reef Marina boat ramp, parking and toilets; cafes at Ocean Reef and Burns Beach.
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.autrailswa.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
