Meet the site
Penguin Island is the centrepiece of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and home to the largest colony of little penguins in Western Australia. It is a 12 ha limestone island a short ferry ride from Mersey Point, with boardwalks, a discovery centre and beaches that are open to visitors for most of the year. Underwater, the DBCA describes cavernous reefs that make good diving and snorkelling.
The reef is low limestone with small caves, overhangs and ledges, mostly in 2–5 m. The best areas are off the north and south ends of the island. On the southern beaches the Little Penguin Trail lets snorkellers follow the rock base from an entry in 2–3 m, over reef where schools of baitfish, the penguins' food, gather. Buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, leatherjackets and herring cale are common, and divers see octopus, crayfish, rays and sea stars. Australian sea lions from nearby Seal Island and bottlenose dolphins often come by, and little penguins can occasionally be seen swimming.
This is a sheltered, shallow site that suits families, snorkellers and new divers. Visibility is variable and suffers after westerly swell. Boardwalks restrict access on land, and some beaches may be closed for wildlife.
The island's biggest hazard is on land and in the shallows between it and Mersey Point: the sandbar looks walkable, but currents and waves have swept people off it, and the council and DBCA warn against crossing it. Use the ferry or a boat.
Penguin Island is best combined with Seal Island and the Point Peron reefs for a day of snorkelling in Shoalwater Bay.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Penguin Island is recorded as Island in Perth. The listed access is shore or 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Penguin Island 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 Penguin Island 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
Little penguins, Australian sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, baitfish schools, buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, leatherjackets, herring cale, octopus, western rock lobster, rays, sea stars
Location
Limestone island about 700 m off Mersey Point, Shoalwater, with low reefs, small caves and overhangs around its shores and a snorkel trail on its southern beaches.
Facilities nearby
Mersey Point jetty with parking, toilets and cafe; Penguin Island discovery centre, boardwalks and toilets (in season). Air fills in Rockingham.
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
rockingham.wa.gov.aurockingham.wa.gov.auexploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.auperthisok.commarinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
