Meet the site
Withnell Bay is one of two self-guided shore dives promoted by Pilbara Dive and Tours. It lies on the south-western edge of Murujuga National Park, about 25 minutes from Karratha. The bottom is sand with small corals and weedy patches, reaching 5–6 m at high tide.
Anemones, small rays, nudibranchs, tropical fish, turtles and larger rays are regular sightings. Visibility is under 5 m in the warmer months and up to 10 m in the cooler months. It is best dived at slack high tide.
About the Dampier Archipelago: the archipelago's 42 islands off Dampier and Karratha hold one of the most diverse marine environments in Western Australia, with more than 650 recorded fish species, coral reefs, sponge gardens and seagrass meadows — all set against red Pilbara rock and the world's largest concentration of Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga). It is heavily fished and boated by locals but lightly dived, and visiting divers usually go with Pilbara Dive and Tours or a local club. The combination of big tides, turbid inshore water and strong currents means the outer islands generally offer the best visibility and coral, and dive timing is planned around slack water.
Planning notes: Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated beginner. Expect to spend most of the dive around 4 m, with a maximum of about 6 m. It is a shore-access site that can be visited independently when conditions suit. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: April–October (outside cyclone season; best visibility in cooler months). Traffic: moderate (occasional charters/club dives).
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Withnell Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Pilbara & Dampier. 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 Withnell Bay 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 Withnell 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
Anemones, small and large rays, nudibranchs, tropical reef fish, turtles
Location
Shore dive on the south-west edge of Murujuga National Park on the Burrup Peninsula, 25 minutes from Karratha; sand with small corals, max 5–6 m at high tide.
Facilities nearby
Withnell Bay boat ramp nearby; no other facilities. Air fills in Karratha.
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
pilbaradiveandtours.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.