Swim with the sharks
With all the attention on the Great Barrier Reef as Australia’s most famous diving destination, we tend to forget that we have a whole other coastline full of abundant beauty, active marine life and colourful coral just waiting to be explored. From swimming with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef to Rottnest Island’s limestone reef, Western Australia provides visitors with an array of unique diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Where can I go diving & snorkeling in Western Australia?
The Abrolhos Islands are situated 60 kilometres west of Geraldton and consist of 122 islands, a meeting place for an assortment of tropical sea life. Home to sea lions and dolphins, these islands provide snorkelers with an ideal exploring destination where you can get up and close with Australia’s marine life and the remains of over 19 shipwrecks. Rottnest Island is one of the most accessible islands, surrounded by reefs, caverns and a rainbow of tropical fish amidst an underwater paradise, with warm water temperatures all year round.
North of Broome, Rowley Shoals is considered one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in Australia. Made up of three major reefs, Rowley Shoals has a variety of shallow lagoons, coral gardens, giant clams and shellfish amidst 233 species of coral and 688 species of fish. Giant potato cod and Maori wrasse often follow divers around while schools of tuna and trevally are seen swimming by. Rowley Shoals is a 12 hour boat trip from Broome, so ensure you spend time thoroughly enjoying and exploring your surrounds.
For more diving destinations, check out our article on snorkelling and diving in Australia
