Meet the site
Greens Pool is one of the most famous swimming and snorkelling spots on the Western Australian south coast: a turquoise lagoon sheltered behind a row of rounded granite boulders in William Bay National Park, 15 km west of Denmark. Elephant Rocks, a short walk east, is a cove of huge granite boulders said to resemble a herd of elephants wading into the sea.
The snorkelling is shallow – 1-3 m in the main pool – over white sand, with submerged boulders forming channels and chasms that are fun to explore. The granite is covered in kelp, coralline algae and encrusting life, and fish are plentiful: tarwhine, wrasse, silver drummer, zebrafish, bullseyes, morwong, King George whiting and juvenile snapper, with sea hares and mosaic sea stars on the rocks and stingrays over the sand.
This is a snorkel site rather than a scuba destination. Scuba divers can dive the slightly deeper areas along the boulder line, but depth rarely exceeds 5 m and the site is crowded in summer. It is outstanding, however, for families, beginners and photographers, and on a calm morning the colours are spectacular.
Facilities include toilets, picnic tables and lookouts, but parking is limited and fills quickly in peak season. There is no camping in the park. The broader Denmark coast has dangerous beaches with rips and big swell; Greens Pool is the protected exception, though currents do occur at its western end in larger swell. Arrive early in the morning in summer for a parking space, calmer water and fewer people, and bring your own drinking water and shade – there is no shop at the park. Denmark town, 15 minutes away, has cafés, supermarkets and accommodation.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks (William Bay) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Albany & Great Southern. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks (William Bay) 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 Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks (William Bay) 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
Tarwhine, wrasse, silver drummer, zebrafish, bullseyes, morwong, King George whiting, juvenile snapper, sea hares, mosaic sea stars, stingrays, kelp
Location
Sheltered natural pool behind a line of granite boulders in William Bay National Park, 15 km west of Denmark, with 1-3 m snorkelling among granite channels; Elephant Rocks cove is next door.
Facilities nearby
Car parks (limited), toilets, picnic tables, lookouts; no camping; no dogs. Shops and cafés in Denmark; nearest air fills in Albany.
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
exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.authelifeofpy.comrainbowcoast.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
