Meet the site
The Esperance Jetty is the heart of the town's shore diving. The original timber Tanker Jetty, built in 1935 to service fuel tankers and later a beloved fishing and diving platform, was closed in 2015 for safety reasons and – after a long community debate – demolished, with demolition completed in June 2020. A new 415 m jetty of concrete and steel opened on 28 March 2021 at a cost of about $8.3 million. Its heritage section (bends 1-10) echoes the curved profile of the old jetty and incorporates reclaimed timbers in interpretive features, and a dedicated diving platform was retained in the design.
The old jetty was famous as a haven for leafy seadragons and visiting seals, and part of the new jetty's purpose was to keep that underwater life accessible. The Shire describes a designated dive trail at the jetty end, 50-100 m offshore, where artificial reef habitat supports leafy seadragons, skipjack trevally ('skippy'), whiting and other species. Esperance Diving & Fishing lists the jetty for leafy seadragons, schools of old wives, nudibranchs and soft corals on the piles, and a separate tyre-module Tanker Jetty artificial reef in a no-fishing zone (see the separate row).
The diving is shallow, easy and close to town – the dive shop is a short walk away – which makes it ideal for training, photography, night dives and a first dive on arrival. The new piles are still developing growth compared with the old timber jetty, but fish life is plentiful and seadragons are regularly found.
Anglers use the jetty around the clock, so divers should watch for lines and hooks, fly a flag and stay clear of fishing areas. There are fish-cleaning stations, shelters and lighting along the jetty.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Esperance Jetty is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Esperance & Recherche Archipelago. 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.
- 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.
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 Esperance Jetty 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 Esperance Jetty 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
Leafy seadragons, weedy seadragons, old wives, skipjack trevally, whiting, herring, nudibranchs, soft corals, sponges, Australian sea lions (occasional), stingrays
Location
415 m concrete-and-steel jetty on Esperance's Esplanade, opened in March 2021 to replace the historic 1935 Tanker Jetty (closed 2015, demolished by 2020); has a dive platform and a dive trail at its end.
Facilities nearby
Parking, toilets, cafés and shops along The Esplanade; fish-cleaning stations, shelters and lighting on the jetty; air fills and hire at Esperance Diving & Fishing (200 m).
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
esperance.wa.gov.auabc.net.auesperancedivingandfishing.com.auperthscuba.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.