Meet the site
Middleton Beach is Albany's main town beach, a long curve of sand on Middleton Bay facing King George Sound, and Ellen Cove at its southern end is the town's swimming hub. The heritage-listed Ellen Cove jetty was first built in 1899-1901 for goods and passengers and has since been rebuilt in concrete and timber; it is now purely recreational. A swimming pontoon is moored off the beach, and since 2016 a shark barrier enclosure has protected the swimming area.
For divers and snorkellers, Ellen Cove is a convenient, sheltered spot rather than a destination. The bottom is mostly sand and seagrass in 1-5 m, with the jetty piles and the granite boulders at the southern end providing structure. Expect herring, whiting, trumpeters, juvenile snapper, blowfish, wrasse and old wives, with cuttlefish, squid and blue swimmer crabs in the seagrass. The jetty piles carry sponges, ascidians and mussels.
It is used for checkout dives, snorkel training and quick after-work swims, and has excellent facilities – café, toilets, showers and a play park – right at the entry point. In winter, southern right and humpback whales enter Middleton Bay to rest, and can be seen close to shore; they are sometimes heard by snorkellers.
Visiting divers wanting reef life will do far better on a boat dive to Michaelmas or Breaksea Islands, or at Frenchman Bay, but Middleton Beach is a pleasant, safe option close to town, especially for families, and a sensible place to test new gear or weighting before a boat trip.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Middleton Beach & Ellen Cove 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.
- 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 Middleton Beach & Ellen Cove 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 Middleton Beach & Ellen Cove 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
Herring, whiting, trumpeters, juvenile snapper, blowfish, wrasse, old wives, cuttlefish, squid, blue swimmer crabs, seagrass; southern right and humpback whales in winter
Location
Albany's town beach on Middleton Bay in King George Sound, with the heritage Ellen Cove jetty, a swimming pontoon and a shark barrier enclosure; shallow sand and seagrass with granite at the southern end.
Facilities nearby
Café, toilets, showers, picnic areas, play park, boardwalk and parking at Ellen Cove; air fills at South Coast Diving Supplies, Albany (5 minutes).
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
rainbowcoast.com.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
