Meet the site
The Bat Cave is a Clerke Reef wall covered in colourful coral that drops to the blue, with a maximum of about 50 m per Divernet. Gorgonian fans, soft corals and whitetip sharks are highlights; the name suggests overhangs or a cave used by batfish.
About the Rowley Shoals: three shelf-edge atolls — Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse reefs — rise from 300–700 m depths on the edge of the continental shelf about 260–300 km west of Broome. Mermaid Reef is protected in the Commonwealth Mermaid Reef Marine Park (a no-take national reserve); Clerke and Imperieuse form the State Rowley Shoals Marine Park, with sanctuary zones and limited recreational fishing areas. Clerke carries Bedwell Island and Imperieuse carries Cunningham Island and its lighthouse. More than 200 coral species and 700 fish species have been recorded, and only a few hundred divers visit each year in a season of a few weeks. The 2024–25 marine heatwave hit hard: AIMS surveys in April 2025 found very high (61–90%) coral mortality at Mermaid and Clerke across all habitats to 30 m, so hard coral cover is currently much reduced, although fish, sharks and the drama of the walls and drifts remain.
Planning notes: Deep/Advanced + experience certification is recommended and the site is rated advanced. Expect to spend most of the dive around 20 m, with a maximum of about 50 m. It can only be reached on a multi-day expedition or liveaboard, so it is usually one of several sites dived on the trip and choices are made by the crew on the day. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: September–December (most trips October–November). Traffic: remote/expedition only.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Bat Cave (Clerke Reef) is recorded as Wall in Rowley Shoals. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 The Bat Cave (Clerke Reef) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 The Bat Cave (Clerke 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
Gorgonian fans, soft corals, whitetip reef sharks, batfish
Location
Wall at Clerke Reef with colourful coral dropping into the blue, to about 50 m.
Facilities nearby
None – all services on the liveaboard (departures from Broome).
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
divernet.comdiveplanit.comdivernet.comdive-the-world.comen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.