Rottnest Island is a diver’s paradise, boasting over 200 dive sites ranging from shallow reefs to walls, caves, and fascinating wrecks with an abundance of marine life
Rottnest island Dive Sites
Roe Reef
Site Certification Level
Roe Reef is popular due to its easy location, not far from Thompson Bay, and is great for all levels. Swim-throughs at 10–15m; the site is no deeper than 17m.
Site Description
Roe Reef is known for its amazing swim-throughs, caverns, and plenty of places to get lost. Expect schools of vibrant fish, the local western blue, crayfish, wobbegong sharks, and often octopus and cuttlefish.
Crystal Palace
Site Certification Level
Located at the southwest end of Rottnest Island, this is a great dive for all levels with a maximum depth of 18m.
Site Description
Known for its caverns, swim-throughs, and caves, this site is beautiful and always breathtaking. Not only is it structurally interesting, but there’s always plenty of fish life to see and it’s a good spot for finding different species of nudibranch.
Swirl Reef
Site Certification Level
Best for Advanced divers; however, you can still access the main cave at 15–17m with Open Water certification. Often exposed to surge, so only dive when the weather allows for safety.
Site Description
Swirl gets its name from the visible “swirl” seen on the water surface after a swell passes. From the boat, head toward the wall and look for a dark entry into the main cave. Swim about 50m and it will open to a massive cave with light shining through overhead gaps. Behind the main cave, you’ll find an amazing crater with so much to explore that you’ll want more than one dive here.
Shark Cave
Site Certification Level
Shark Cave is a deeper dive site at Rottnest Island, and you need to have your Advanced certification to dive there. The top is at 18m, but the best part is 24–26m. It is very exposed to wind, swell, and current, so it can only be done on particularly good days to be safe and enjoyable.
Site Description
Located at the furthest west end of Rottnest Island, this dive site is the furthest from the mainland, taking 1–2 hours travel time. Shark Cave is named after the Grey Nurse Sharks that frequently visit the area. This beautiful arc also features wobbegong sharks and large smooth stingrays.
3 Wrecks
Site Certification Level
The 3 Wrecks is an easy, shallow site from a boat mooring just out of Thompson Bay. Sitting at just 8m, it’s perfect for beginner divers and a great spot to discover some wrecks: the Macedon (1883), Denton Holme (1890), and the Transit (1842).
Site Description
Think schooling fish, crays, buffalo bream, swim-throughs, and wrecks. This site may be shallow, but it’s one of our favourites when the weather allows.
Ammo Jetty Dive Site
Site Certification Level
Ammo Jetty is a perfect dive site for an Open Water Diver with a few dives under their weight belt, thought good control of your buoyancy is necessary as the bottom is easy to stir up. Navigation is easy, just follow the pylons and be careful not to knock any of the gorgeous branching coral as you move down the jetty.
Site Description
Located South of Port Coogee, Ammo Jetty is an easy and rich dive site for all local divers. It is no deeper than 9 meters and easy to navigate. You will find a shower and a bathroom near the car park.
Dive Site Location
At the end of the road, you will find two separate car park that both lead to the site. We generally meet diver on the left one.
Bulk Jetty Dive Site
Certification Level
For one of the prettiest shore dive sites in Perth, dive Bulk Jetty. You just require your PADI Open Water Certification.
Site Description
The dive site is located at the end of Risely Road in the Kwinana complex. There is always free car parks and room to set up your gear. From the car park to the shore there is a short walk to the beach (50 meters) and a short swim at the surface (50m) before you reach the 2 meters depth and start the dive. Under the jetty, you will find a gentle slope bringing you no deeper than 8 meters.
Location
At the end of Risely Road in Kwinana.
Cockburn Sound, Riseley Rd, Kwinana Beach WA 6167, Australia
Robbs Jetty Dive Site
Certification Level
Once you find it, it’s easy to dive Robb’s Jetty. Navigation to get there can be quite hard, but the dive itself suits an experienced Open Water or a fresh Advanced Diver. Good control of your buoyancy is required as some boat traffic is present and you want to be able to stay close to the bottom at all times.
Robb’s Jetty was built in 1921 to help with the transport of cattle for an abattoir. The Jetty was dismantled in 1994 and divers can explore the remaining pylons and debris underwater.
The site is no more than 8 meters deep and is relatively flat. Once on the jetty itself the the site is quite big and makes a nice long dive.
Location
We suggest parking at the car park off Mc Taggart Cove, as it is safer and has some toilet and shower facility. The Mc Taggart Cove car park is a longer walk than the Robb Rd car park, but much safer with CCTV cameras.
Kwinana Grain Terminal Dive Site
Certification Level
It’s extremely easy to dive Kwinana Grain Terminal (KGT). It requires basic skill in Navigation (you follow the jetty) and is shallow. Perfect for a new Open Water Diver. Occasional bad visibility can be the only challenge.
Located a short 5min drive from Rockingham and on Kwinana beach, KGT is an easy and rich dive site for all local divers. It is no deeper than 9 meters and easy to navigate by keeping underneath the jetty. You will find a basic outdoor shower in the car park but no other facilities. There are more facilities a short drive down the road.
The bottom is mostly a rough sand that will stir a little bit if kicked.
Location
If you come from Rockingham, the entry of the car park is just after you pass the Jetty. You should be on the north side of the Jetty.
CBH Kwinana Grain Terminal
Hall Bank
Site Certification Level
Hall Bank is a real treat among Perth Dive sites because of the stunning coral and sponge colonies. A max depth of 12 meters means this site is suitable for all divers. With no man made structure to follow, you’ll use the layout of the reef as your navigational guide so advanced certification, or a guide is recommended.
Hall Bank is a boat dive, perhaps because of this the coral here has thrived and we often find life that you only occasionally glimpse on shore dives.
Site Description
The reef runs generally north/south and at the shallowest parts is only 5 meters deep, dropping away to 10-12 at sandy patches around the reef. The shallow sections are above the gorgeous coral so you’ll have plenty of time to explore under ledges and discover wobbegong, cat sharks, lionfish, stingarees, cuttlefish and more. We’ve even been lucky enough to spot a turtle here on a night dive.
Dive Site Location
Located just a 2o minute boat ride from Fremantle, approximately 5kms off the North Fremantle coast Hall Bank is conveniently close to visit in a morning or evening when you can’t get away for a whole day.
Our guided boat dives to Hall Bank depart from East Street Jetty, Fremantle.