Explore Broome
Situated 186 miles off the coast of Broome, Western Australia, is The Rowley Shoals Marine Park. Due to the remote location of Broome, this is WA diving’s best-kept secret with fewer than 200 people diving this isolated and pristine location each year. With few people visiting the marine park, the three separate atolls surrounded by turquoise waters have undisturbed marine life, which is known as one of the most biodiverse reefs in Western Australia. Humpback whales, hammerhead sharks and manta rays all frequent the area, delighting any diver that witness the incredible megafauna.
Scuba diving in Broome does not operate from dive centres and dive resorts as The Rowley Shoals Marine Park is only accessible by liveaboards in the area, where it is a 12-hour journey to the marine park. Broome’s coastline has big tidal movements and remains cloudy with silt so Broome diving is only really possible in the marine park, with the diving there more than making up for the lack elsewhere.
Top Broome Dive Sites
1. Mermaid Reef – Cod Hole
Home to massive potato cod, Maori wrasse, and schooling trevally, Cod Hole lies at the entrance of Mermaid Reef’s channel. With depths beyond 30m and frequent sightings of manta rays, this is best for advanced scuba divers. As part of the Mermaid Reef National Nature Reserve, it offers protected, pristine reef systems and vibrant coral walls.
2. Odyssey Alley (Mermaid Reef)
A dramatic dive into the blue, Odyssey Alley features giant gorgonian fans, reef sharks, and colorful reef fish. The steep drop-off into the deep ocean makes this site ideal for experienced divers. Expect scuba diving only with potential sightings of sailfish and pelagics in season.
3. Vee in the Wall (Mermaid Reef)
This site boasts a striking "V"-shaped canyon with walls covered in hard corals and small reef fish. Trevally and turtles frequent the area, and visibility is often excellent. Suitable for intermediate to advanced scuba divers. The site’s topography provides beautiful swim-throughs and reef views.
4. Clerke Reef – The Aquarium
A gentle, easy dive perfect for scuba and freediving, The Aquarium is rich with staghorn coral and thousands of reef fish in dazzling colors. Located in the calmer inner lagoon of Clerke Reef, it offers a relaxing break from more current-heavy dives nearby.
5. Jimmy Goes to China (Clerke Reef)
Named for its deep, wall-like drop-offs, this site lies at the confluence of strong oceanic currents. Expect pelagic action, including grey reef sharks, tuna, and trevally. For advanced divers, this is a thrilling drift and wall dive with excellent biodiversity and visibility.