Meet the site
Quarry Bay is a small bay near Cape Leeuwin with a piece of history in its name. Marinelife.org.au notes that limestone was hewn here for the blocks of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It describes a bay about 200 m across at its entrance, where waves break over granite rocks and reefs at the mouth and lower the wave energy at the shore, and says the reefs near the beach are usually suitable for snorkelling in calm weather, making it a good snorkel dive.
The mix of granite and limestone near the beach gives shallow reef with weed, small fish and invertebrates, in a sheltered pocket on a very exposed coastline. It is a quiet spot, visited mostly by walkers on the Cape to Cape Track and locals.
It suits snorkellers and families on calm days; scuba divers will find it shallow. Keep inside the bay and away from the breaking water at the mouth.
Combine a visit with Skippy Rock and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, whose tower was built from stone quarried here.
The coast around Cape Leeuwin is where the Indian and Southern oceans meet, and it is one of the most exposed shorelines in Australia. The sheltered coves and bays near Augusta are the exceptions, which is why local divers value them. There is no dive shop in Augusta, so bring filled cylinders from Busselton or Perth, and remember that the nearest recompression chamber is at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, about four hours' drive away. Ngari Capes Marine Park zoning includes sanctuary zones at Cape Leeuwin and East Flinders Bay, so check the maps before fishing or collecting.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Quarry Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Margaret River & Augusta. 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.
- 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 Quarry 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 Quarry 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
Western king wrasse, small reef fish, weed and kelp, sea urchins, invertebrates
Location
Small bay about 200 m wide near Cape Leeuwin where waves break over granite reefs at the mouth, leaving calmer water near the beach for snorkelling; its limestone was quarried for the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Facilities nearby
Gravel car park; no facilities; Augusta nearby.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
