Meet the site
The Mandurah Artificial Reef was the first artificial reef in Western Australia paid for entirely by recreational fishers, through about $1.1 million of licence fees administered by Recfishwest. Deployed in 2016, it consists of 30 hollow concrete fish-box modules arranged in six clusters in about 25 m of water, 12 km west of the Mandurah Ocean Marina.
The reef was designed to attract demersal and pelagic fish, and anglers report good catches, which suggests healthy fish populations. Recfishwest and researchers have reported positive monitoring results. Divers can expect schools of fish around the modules, with species typical of Perth's offshore reefs such as pink snapper, samson fish, King George whiting on the sand, and sponges and invertebrates colonising the concrete.
It is not a dive site in the conventional sense. It is deep for recreational divers, 12 km offshore and exposed, it is covered in fishing line and tackle (MadMackie notes the hollow modules claim a lot of gear), and anglers may be anchored or drifting overhead. Divers should use a shot line, fly the dive flag and stay close to the modules.
For experienced divers with their own boat, it offers a chance to see how quickly a purpose-built reef develops. Published diving information is almost nonexistent, so treat this record as a guide to location and structure rather than to marine life.
The clusters are spread over an area, so a GPS is needed to find each one, and divers should agree on a single cluster per dive rather than trying to swim between them. Deploying a surface marker buoy before ascending helps the boat and nearby anglers keep track of divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Mandurah Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef in Mandurah & Peel. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Mandurah 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 Mandurah 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, samson fish, King George whiting, trevally, sponges and colonising invertebrates (reported from angler catches and monitoring)
Location
Six clusters of hollow concrete fish-habitat modules (30 modules) in about 25 m, 12 km west of the Mandurah Ocean Marina, deployed in 2016 and funded by recreational fishing licence fees.
Facilities nearby
Mandurah Ocean Marina and Dawesville Cut boat ramps.
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.aurecfishwest.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.