Underwater Adventures

Perth's premier diving destination, Rottnest Island is home to sparkling bays and water temperatures 3 to 4 degrees warmer than the mainland. Tropical species of fish relish in the warmer waters and limestone caverns surrounding the island. Calm bays attract snorkelers and lucky visitors are regularly greeted by playful seals who love to interact. The Rottnest Shipwreck Trail tells stories of the 14 shipwrecks found along its coast - information plaques can be seen on the ocean bed.

Head to the Sunset Coast where you can wade into the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean and within a few metres of the shore you're floating above a reef. Mettams Pool, just north of Scarborough, is a calm snorkelling spot within 30 minutes of Perth CBD and is ideal for families and beginners.

Cavernous reefs, seagrass meadows and even more shipwrecks can be found surrounding the islands of Shoalwater Marine Park, near Rockingham. In this area near Penguin Island, the Caves diving spot is part of a limestone reef ranging in depth of about 9 metres from the surface. You can also go on a guided swim with wild dolphins and explore the waters around Seal Island!

Just off the coast of Rockingham, 45 minutes south of Perth, the West Coast Dive Park was created by the WA State Government to offer divers a world class scuba diving and snorkelling area. The park already has 10 ships wrecked within it and a number of superb snorkelling sites. In May 2005, the first purpose-sunk ship, the Saxon Ranger joined the existing sites of the Park.

The first of its kind in Western Australia, the award-winning Coogee Maritime Trail is centred around the Omeo Shipwreck and includes an underwater dive and snorkel trail and a land-based trail. The trails not only provide access to our beautiful marine life, but also offer a unique opportunity to educate and build awareness about out significant maritime history and archaeology.

Located at Rottnest Island this site is for advanced divers. Average depth is 18 metres with a maximum depth of 27 metres. Top of the reef starts at about 10 metres. Most ground at around 18 metres or so. Swim north to find a large amphitheatre cave which is usually teeming with fish life. There are plenty of swim throughs, big overhangs. Hard and soft coral varieties are abundant. Access via boat, 60 minutes.

How to find the dive site: 1 mile south of West End, 32'01.966"S 115'26.405" E is for the top of the reef. 32'01.946" S 115' 26.418" E is for the cave.
Caution: Exposed site, so best to dive in less than 1 metre of swell with winds of less than 10 knots. Can be prone to strong S/W currents.

Located at Rottnest Island this sit has an average depth of 20 metres and a maximum depth of 30 metres. A fairly large ravine within the top of the mound that marks the southern 14 metre mark on North Point Reef can be a great dive given the ideal conditions (light winds and swell below 1.5 metres). The ravine (26 metres on the bottom) shows up well on any echo sounder. After swimming through the ravine the ground to the North at around the 20-25 metre mark is also well worth a look. Access via boat, 60 minutes.

How to find the dive site: 31,58.597'S 115,29.820'E

Located off Salmon Bay at Rottnest Island, Jack's Patch is an open water dive site. Average depth is 15 metres with a maximum depth of 27 metres. Best described as a north/south running strip of limestone reef that has a very good covering of hard and soft coral. Plenty of swim throughs  and ledges and one big cave towards the northern end. Shallowest part of the reef is around 13 metres with most of it around 15 to 17 metres, it can get a bit deeper towards the southern (27 metres) and western side (22 metres). This dive site supports a very diverse marine ecosystem and is a photographers paradise in good visibility. Access via boat, 50 minutes.

How to find the dive site: 32'01.90" S,115'31.08" E - about 1/2 mile S/W of Salmon Point

Located at Safety Bay, near Rockingham, this is an open water dive site. Average depth is 4 metres with a maximum depth of 7 metres. On seaward side of the main reef there are several large caves, most being swim through, with sightings of dolphins, seals, crayfish and stingrays common. This is a great spot for the beginner to the more advanced diver or snorkeler.

How to find the dive site: follow Point Peron Rd to the end, turn left, then right into the car park – water entry is 80 metres to the right. Surface swim 100 metres at 300 degrees to the edge of the reef.
Caution: when there is a swell of over 1.5mts there can be quite a surge in the caves.

Located at Hillarys Boat Harbour this is an open water dive site. Average depth is 4 metres with a maximum depth of 7 metres. There is a dive trail you can follow where you find various plaques. The site has a mixture of weedy reef opening to clean sandy bottom, as you explore clockwise around the reef you will find some lovely caves, swim throughs and ledges. Being a shallow dive there is plenty of time to study the nooks and crannies. Access via shore, 5 minutes.

How to find the dive site: park behind AQWA and walk out to the T-section in the pier. Here you will find an information sign located next to a set of steps. The reef is located inside a rectangle formed by four yellow vertical marker buoys. The dive site is in the section that's located near the eastern end of the reef.

The Omeo is an historically significant and federally protected iron steamship that was built in 1858 in Newcastle (England) and later converted to a sailing ship. It was used to lay the Bass Strait Telegraph cable, and the Overland Telegraph linking Australia to Britain via Singapore. This vessel was involved in international trade and participated in inter-colonial passenger networks. It traded for many years between Adelaide, Melbourne and New Zealand, and famously collided with, and wrecked, the Swan Spit pile lighthouse in Port Phillip in 1881, before becoming a coal hulk. The Omeo was driven ashore and wrecked in 1905.

Located 120 minutes off the coast of Lancelin the Key Bascane wreck has an average depth of 25 metres and maximum depth of 44 metres. The ship sank in 1982 while being towed to Perth for modifications. Key Biscane is a deep dive a long way off the coast. Some dive shops run the odd trip out there but you need great weather and almost no swell. She rests in 44m but the wreck starts at about 25m.

Located only 160 metres off Fremantle's North Mole, the wreck sits in 9 metres of water. It is broken up but in good condition. The best time to dive is before the sea breeze with a swell of less than 2 metres. Beware of fishing line, broken glass and rusting steel.

Located at Point Peron the SS Orizaba is a former steamer that now lies in water up to 8 metres deep. The boilers are still intact and interesting to look around, although deteriorating in parts. Various places around the hull create nice caves where you can observe a range of marine life. Access via boat, 20 minutes. GPS is required to find the wreck. On a calm day the wreck is visible from the surface when you are directly above it. There are no markers. Be careful in conditions with a heavy undertow, as you can be bumped into the wreck quite easily if you are not prepared for the next surge.

Located 5 minutes off the Rockingham foreshore these wrecks are in open water with an average depth of 13 metres and a maximum depth of 17 metres. It consists of two planes and four boats, two tyre sets, a pole and a washing machine. This is a great site for beginners or any diver trying out new gear. It is pretty much protected in all weather. Interesting marine life and a lionfish lives in one of the planes.

How to find the wreck: Park in the car park directly opposite Flinders Lane. Make entry via the steps and swim out to one of the buoys that mark each of the wrecks – all of them, except two, are joined by rope. It is suggested you pick up a map from Perth Diving Academy in Fremantle or from Bell Dive across the road.
Caution: The visibility will be poor.

Located in the southeastern corner of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, Parker Point offers an exhilarating underwater experience. The Parker Point Snorkel Trail invites snorkelers and divers to explore the surrounding environment. Featuring 12 interpretive plaques positioned on the seabed, the trail educates about the diverse flora and intriguing marine life encountered along the way.

Crafted with dual handles for stability, the plaques enable divers to read without being swept by the tide. Following an underwater limestone ridge, the trail extends to the Parker Point Marine Sanctuary Zone and back. Beyond the informative plaques, the trail boasts stunning underwater vistas, thanks to calm, clear conditions. Marine plants and a sprawling coral reef enhance the journey. Covering approximately 800 meters, completing the trail typically takes about an hour. Find out more.

Little Salmon Bay offers a serene haven for families and snorkeling enthusiasts eager to explore one of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island’s favored aquatic adventures. Ten buoys delineate information plaques positioned on the seabed, providing divers and snorkelers insights into the diverse plants and marine life inhabiting the gentle waves.

Commencing and concluding on the pristine sandy shore, the trail meanders around Little Salmon Bay in a loop spanning approximately 700 meters. Vibrant tropical fish dart amidst seagrass and limestone formations, while sporadic pink-hued coral accents the seabed. Despite the tranquil waters, allocate about an hour to fully appreciate the trail's offerings. Find out more.

Just 25 meters from the shore, the Coogee Maritime Dive and Snorkel Trail, in the City of Cockburn, begins at the Omeo shipwreck and includes an artificial reef and underwater sculptures - including a giant starfish you can swim through! The trail is easily accessed from the northern end of Coogee Beach via the beach access path from Perlinte View. Omeo is Perth's premier beachside shipwreck dive, accessible close to shore in shallow, clear water. Omeo is an historically significant and federally protected iron steamship that was built in 1858 in Newcastle (England). Omeo ended its days in Fremantle, where it was driven ashore and wrecked in 1905.

The purpose-built reef consists of 33 reef modules, designed by marine engineers and marine scientists to support a diverse range of marine flora and fauna. As well as being great fun to swim through you will find education signage about the reef and marine life. Find out more.

Featuring 20 informative plinths on the seafloor, this dive and snorkel trail spans 400 meters through the clear waters of the marine park. Divers and snorkelers encounter a colorful array of fish and marine species along the way. With depths ranging from two to six meters, the trail accommodates all skill levels. Each of the 20 underwater plinths offers engaging activities and facts, illustrated by Kellee Merritt and showcasing sea creatures found in the marine park.

Arrows atop each plinth provide direction and distance to the next one. Local artist Brenton See's mural, located on the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club (MAAC), offers land-based information and safety signage for trail users. Weather conditions and individual experience dictate suitability for SCUBA divers and snorkelers. The trail's starting point is indicated by a surface float near the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club (MAAC) in Marmion. Find out more.