The Ultimate Perth Seasonal Dive Site Planner

The Ultimate Perth Seasonal Dive Planner

Your free, comprehensive guide to year-round diving in WA's best waters.

1. Your Pathway to Diving in WA

Getting certified is easier than you think. In Western Australia, the PADI Open Water Course is the most recognized and flexible option, allowing you to dive anywhere in the world. Your certification journey involves three main parts:

Knowledge Development: Learn the core principles and safety rules, usually completed online (eLearning) at your own pace.
Confined Water Dives: Practice essential skills in a pool or calm, shallow water. This builds your comfort and muscle memory.
Open Water Dives: Complete four dives in the ocean (like Rottnest or local jetties!) to experience the underwater world and demonstrate your skills.

Are You Already Certified?

If you've dived before (even years ago), you may qualify for the Advanced Open Water course or a simple Refresher session. Knowing your current status is the key to finding the right next course!

2. The WA Seasonal Dive Roadmap

Conditions in Western Australia dictate the best spots. Use this map to plan your next adventure, from beginner shore dives to deep wreck explorations.

Season	Best Dive Sites	Conditions & Vibe	Key Activity
Summer (Dec - Feb)	Rottnest Island (Boat Dives), HMAS Swan Wreck, Rockingham Wreck Trail.	Warmest water (up to $24^circ C$) and highest visibility. Prime time for boat dives and the annual Western Rock Lobster 'White Run'.	Crayfish Catching! & Wreck Dives
Autumn (Mar - May)	Ammo Jetty (Shore), Woodman Point (Shore/Boat), Rottnest Island.	Water remains warm and stable. Excellent visibility for both shore and island diving before the winter winds pick up.	Prime All-Around Diving
Winter (Jun - Aug)	Ammo Jetty (Shore), Woodman Point (Shore/Boat).	Colder water (around $18^circ C$), but often flatter conditions close to shore, making jetties ideal for macro life hunting.	Macro Life & Shelter Dives
Spring (Sep - Nov)	Ammo Jetty (Shore), Rottnest Island (Boat Dives).	Water temps start rising (up to $20^circ C$). Visibility on Rottnest improves drastically. Great for photographers.	Island & Shore Exploration

3. Perth Shore Dive Essentials

These are your go-to shore sites for easy access, great life, and flexible diving.

Ammo Jetty (Coogee)

A protected, easy-access spot perfect for beginners and night dives. Look for weedy seadragons, octopus, and massive schools of fish. Often offers great protection from the afternoon sea breeze.

Access Address: Cockburn Rd, Coogee WA 6166

Woodman Point (Munster)

Offers several dive options, often protected from swell. Great for finding macro life and exploring the old jetties near the main reserve. An excellent spot for depth progression post-certification.

Address: Woodman Point Recreation Reserve, Munster, WA 6166

Rockingham Wreck Trail

A fascinating trail of artificial reef material and small wrecks easily accessed from the beach at Churchill Park. Excellent for practicing buoyancy and navigation on the sand.

Address: Churchill Park, Rockingham Beach Foreshore, Rockingham, WA 6168

4. Dive Beside Perth: What You'll See

Perth diving is world-renowned for its unique temperate marine life and stunning limestone caves. Forget tropical fish—we have rare beauties!

Weedy Seadragons

These elusive, camouflaged beauties are a highlight of our jetties. Perth is one of the best places in the world to find them!

Sea Lions & Dolphins

Rottnest Island is a prime spot for playful Australian Sea Lions. Bottlenose dolphins often surprise divers on boat trips and shore dives.

Western Rock Lobsters

During the summer White Run, lobsters are everywhere! If you have the training, it's a thrilling experience to dive and collect your dinner (check local rules!).

5. Gear, Charters, and Logistics

Dive Gear & Tank Fills

Whether you need to rent a full kit for your course or just top off your air, here are the local hubs:

Adreno (Fremantle): Retail and rental options.
Scubanautics (Rockingham): Excellent local service for tank fills and supplies.

Courses & Dive Charters

We handle the entire process, from your first breath underwater to advanced exploration dives:

Bucket List Diver: Your first choice for PADI Open Water courses, Advanced training, and expert-led dive trips.

6. Beyond Perth: Iconic WA Dive Sites

Once you are certified, Western Australia offers endless opportunities. Here are two bucket-list destinations waiting for you.

HMAS Perth Wreck (Albany)

Located near Albany, this former warship is an intentionally sunk artificial reef, providing an incredible wreck diving experience. It's a key Advanced Open Water dive and a must-see for serious divers.

Busselton Jetty (Busselton)

The longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, the underwater environment is a dense forest of piles covered in vibrant corals, sponges, and marine growth. Excellent shore diving access to an artificial reef unlike any other.

Exmouth & Ningaloo Reef

While often associated with snorkeling, the diving in Exmouth is world-class. From the colourful corals of the inner Ningaloo Reef to the chance to dive with whale sharks (seasonal), Exmouth is a tropical paradise that every certified WA diver should experience.