Meet the site
Rocky Bay is a Swan River dive on the North Fremantle side of the river, below the limestone cliffs near Rule Street. The bottom slopes sharply from the entry: the river drops to 5–6 m almost immediately and reaches 8.5 m in the channel, with a shallow sand bar on the far side. Howies notes that it is generally a poor dive, worth doing mainly when the ocean is too rough.
The riverbed near shore is rocky, with a line of rocks along the bank where metal debris, a push bike and the obligatory tyre have collected. Across the channel the sand bar is shallow. Marine life includes schools of toadfish, many sea stars, crabs, seahorses, nudibranchs, horseshoe worms and scattered tube worms on the bottom.
Divingwawrecks lists two wrecks on the southern shoreline of Rocky Bay, the Mayfield and the City of Perth, but warns that access is difficult because of the cliffs and currents.
The river here is heavily used by ferries, recreational boats and jet skis, so divers must use a flag and stay near the bank. Visibility is usually murky and full of weed.
Rocky Bay suits experienced local divers who want a short river dive near Fremantle on a stormy day. For a better river experience, Bicton Baths and the Coombe are nearby.
River temperatures swing more than the ocean: about 22–26 °C in late summer but as low as 13–15 °C in winter, when a 7 mm suit or drysuit makes a long dive more comfortable. Rinse gear well afterwards, as the estuary water is often high in organic matter.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Rocky Bay (Swan River) is recorded as Freshwater Lake/River in Perth. 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.
- 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.
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 Rocky Bay (Swan River) suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Rocky Bay (Swan River) 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
Toadfish schools, sea stars, crabs, seahorses, nudibranchs, horseshoe worms, tube worms
Location
River dive at Rocky Bay on the North Fremantle bank of the Swan River, with a steep drop-off from shore to 8.5 m and a sand bar across the channel.
Facilities nearby
Car park above the site on Rule Street; limited facilities. Air fills in Fremantle.
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
howiesscuba.comhowiesscuba.comdivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
