Long Island (Recherche)

Meet the site

Long Island is one of the western islands of the Recherche Archipelago, and one of the more varied reef dives accessible from Esperance. Marine Life Network describes large rock formations with caverns and swim-throughs, and reef ridges separated by sand gutters, in 20-30 m, with western blue groper, queen snapper and harlequin fish (harlequin cod) as signature species.

The granite has been sculpted into overhangs and caverns lined with sponges, ascidians and gorgonians, and the ridges and gutters give the dive a structured, easy-to-navigate layout. The blue groper here are large and curious, queen snapper school in the gutters, and harlequin fish sit in the caves. In the sand gutters look for rays and flathead.

The island also shelters the Lapwing, an intact small fishing-boat wreck in 32 m, so Long Island makes a natural two-dive day: the wreck first, then a shallower reef dive. The site suits Advanced Open Water divers; swim-throughs should be avoided if there is surge.

The Recherche Archipelago – more than 100 granite islands and 1,500 islets stretching 230 km along the coast – is one of the least-dived temperate island groups in Australia. With the local operator the only regular dive boat, divers who make the trip often have sites to themselves. Surveys record more than 260 fish species and 450 sponge types across the archipelago, and the sponge diversity is obvious on the Long Island walls, where every overhang holds a different colour and form. Plan Long Island as part of a multi-day Esperance stay to allow for weather.

What you might see

Western blue groper, queen snapper, harlequin fish, boarfish, sweep, bullseyes, rays, sponges, gorgonians, ascidians

Location

Island in the western Recherche Archipelago off Esperance with large rock formations, caverns, swim-throughs and reef ridges with sand gutters in 20-30 m.