Meet the site
The Dunsborough Artificial Reef is the sister of the Bunbury reef, built for recreational fishers under the same program. Wikifishingspots and Recfishwest describe the two reefs as installed in Geographe Bay in 2013/14, each made from 30 purpose-built, 10-tonne concrete modules within 5 km of shore and roughly opposite boat ramps. Madmackie gives the Dunsborough reef's centre point as 33 33.962 S, 115 09.980 E in 27 m, 6.2 km north-east of the Old Dunsborough Town ramp and 5.7 km north-north-east of the Quindalup ramp, laid out as six clusters of fish boxes, and describes it as one of the first reefs deployed - a flagship for the program.
The hollow boxes attract pink snapper, dhufish, silver trevally, yellowtail kingfish and samson fish, which is why anglers use it, and they have become encrusted with sponges and weed. For divers, it is a deep, low-relief site that shows how quickly artificial structure becomes habitat. At 27 m, bottom time on air is limited and navigation between clusters needs a compass and good visibility.
It suits Advanced divers with their own boat looking for something different after the HMAS Swan, which lies nearby. The main hazards are fishing gear snagged in the modules and fishing boats overhead, so fly a dive flag and keep a knife or cutter handy. New demersal fishing rules for the West Coast Bioregion from December 2025 may change fishing pressure on the reef.
Geographe Bay faces north, so Cape Naturaliste blocks most of the prevailing south-westerly swell and sea breeze that close the ocean coast; that shelter and the warm Leeuwin Current make the Dunsborough shoreline one of the most reliably diveable stretches of the South West, and winter north-westerly storms are the main thing that shuts it down.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Dunsborough Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef in Geographe Bay & Busselton. 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.
- 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Dunsborough Artificial Reef 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 Dunsborough Artificial Reef 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
Pink snapper, dhufish, silver trevally, yellowtail kingfish, samson fish, bullseyes, western king wrasse, sponges
Location
Six clusters of concrete fish-box modules on sand in 27 m about 6 km north-east of the Old Dunsborough boat ramp, deployed in 2013/14.
Facilities nearby
Quindalup and Dunsborough boat ramps; Swan Dive for fills.
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.auwikifishingspots.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.