Explore Western Australia
The lesser travelled state of West Australia rewards those who delve into its rugged coastline with incredible marine life and sites where you may have the water completely to yourself, with not another diver seen for miles! Starting from the most remote area found while WA diving, Broome, divers can explore Western Australia’s best-kept secret of Rowley Shoal Marine Park. Only possible to visit via liveaboards, the three huge coral atolls have towering walls, thrilling drift dives, and awe-striking reefs which are visited by manta rays, humpback whale, and hammerhead shark - pure magic!
Another place for divers to witness manta rays and humpback whale are Exmouth and Coral Bay, the gateways to the shallow reefs, seagrass, and intricate swim-throughs of Ningaloo Reef. Home to 500 species of fish and over 300 species, Ningaloo is the place to see the whale shark, where you can swim beside the fascinating creatures. At Exmouth, macro critters can be found within Lighthouse Bay among crevices and overhangs while dugongs feed in patches of seagrass.
Further south, Geraldton is the access point to the intricate reefs of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Found among the chain of 122 islands divers can discover numerous wrecks in the ‘Graveyard of Ships’ while the Australian sea lion, bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles all reside in the Abrolhos’ waters. While scuba diving Western Australia, visiting the state’s capital city, Perth, is a must. Here, divers can enter by the shore to observe the western rock lobster, which is prominent to the area, or head further offshore to Rottnest Island to search for weedy sea dragons, wobbegong shark, and grey nurse shark sheltering in caves and seagrass meadows.
Rockingham and Busselton provide access to the famous HMAS Swan Wreck while travelling further south at Albany, divers can admire the HMAS Perth. While at Albany, head to Seal Cove to dive with sea lions who bound out to greet and spend a whole hour swimming with you! At many of Western Australia’s remote dive locations, dive centres are few and dive resorts non-existent, so often the best way to explore WA diving is via liveaboards.
Places to Explore
Coral Bay
Coral Bay is one of two access points to the world’s largest fringing reef system, Ningaloo Reef. Stretching for more than 260km across Western Australia’s rugged coastline, Ningaloo was given the title of a World Heritage Site in 2011 and is recognised as the most ecologically diverse marine environments in the world. The reef consists of dense hard coral gardens, sand flats, large areas of rich seagrass as well as deep ocean pinnacles, ledges, and walls. Scuba diving in Coral Bay caters for everyone, whether you intend to experience your first dive in shallow sites or head deeper, you’ll be rewarded by dancing manta rays, migrating humpback whales, and the iconic whale shark.
Rockingham
Only a short trip from Western Australia’s capital city of Perth lies Rockingham with beautiful beaches and limestone cliffs. The large stretch of coast has a great variation of dive sites, with a number of wrecks and flourishing reefs to explore while bottlenose dolphins are often sighted from the shore. Scuba diving in Rockingham is accessible to everyone, with beginner wrecks sitting on sandy flats at only 15 metres deep to caves eroded into the limestone at 26 metres deep.
Perth
In Western Australia is Perth, where people come to enjoy the laidback atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and stunning surrounding landscapes. Within the sea, are also some incredible landscapes, with over twenty dive sites accessed from Perth’s shore and many more if you travel by boat to some of the nearby islands such as Rottnest Island. The area is home to a number of historical wrecks with drift dives, overhangs, caves, and swim-throughs all to be found among limestone rocks. Seahorse and the weedy sea dragon take refuge from the current in reefs while dolphins, seals and even a migratory humpback whale may be seen travelling West Australia’s rugged and diverse coastline.
Geraldton
Geraldton is a port city in Western Australia and the gateway to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands pristine coral reefs, where sea lions, dolphins, and dugong await. At the 122 Abrolhos Islands, there are three main island groups; Easter, Pelsart, and Wallabi, which are collectively known as the ‘Graveyard of Ships’ due to the presence of many historical wrecks in their surrounding waters. Closer to Geraldton’s coastline, there are shallow reefs and coves accessible from the shore as well as the South Tomi Wreck, one of Geraldton’s most attractive dive sites aside from the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
Exmouth
Exmouth, in Western Australia, is the gateway to Australia’s iconic Ningaloo Reef as well as the incredible swim-throughs and caverns of the Muiron Islands and flourishing reefs along the Coral Coast. Within Ningaloo Marine Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, divers can explore an aquatic wonderland of megafauna including dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, whale sharks and humpback whales. Those who prefer to search for the ‘small stuff’ will delight in finding frogfish, nudibranch, and stonefish close to Exmouth.
Brusselton
Busselton city is located in the south-west region of Western Australia. Scuba diving in Busselton is centred around Geographe Bay, which is home to Australia’s second-largest seagrass meadow and has an abundance of marine life to rival any tropical reef. Explore some of the best wreck dives in Australia, where you will uncover treasures from the past, or take dive courses in Busselton’s shallow sites that can be entered from the shore. Wobbegong sharks, octopus, and the call of migrating humpback whale will accompany on your dive.
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.
Ningaloo
Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in the world, and it stretches for over 260 kilometers
Top Dive Sites Map
Diving in Western Australia
Western Australia boasts world-class dive sites. The Navy Pier in Exmouth is famous for its dense marine life and easy shore access, ideal for night dives. Ningaloo Reef offers vibrant coral gardens and seasonal encounters with whale sharks and manta rays.
Liveaboards head to the remote Rowley Shoals for pristine drift and wall dives. For wreck lovers, the HMAS Swan near Dunsborough offers safe penetration and abundant marine growth. The Batavia wreck at the Abrolhos Islands adds historical intrigue to underwater exploration.
Western Australia also offers unique freshwater diving at sites like the freshwater lakes of Lake Clifton and Lake Thetis, known for their ancient thrombolites—living microbial structures. These shore dives are shallow but biologically fascinating.
Inland quarries near Perth, like Lake Stockton, are popular for training dives and offer calm conditions with visibility that varies seasonally. While freshwater fish are limited, the surreal underwater landscapes and rare geological features provide a distinctive experience for adventurous divers
The best Months to dive in Western Australia
Diving in Western Australia is possible year-round, with conditions varying by region. Water temperatures range from 22–28°C in the north (Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef) and 18–24°C in the south (Perth, Albany). Visibility can exceed 30 meters in offshore sites like Rowley Shoals, but averages 10–20 meters closer to shore.
Summer (December–February) brings warmer water but stronger winds in the south. Winter (June–August) may have cooler temps but calmer seas. Northern regions generally offer more stable diving year-round.
Freshwater diving in Western Australia is possible year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 10°C in winter (June–August) to around 22°C in summer (December–February). A 5–7mm wetsuit or drysuit is recommended in cooler months.
Visibility varies by site and season, generally best in late summer and autumn when runoff is minimal. Heavy winter rains can reduce clarity, especially in rivers. Spring offers unique sightings during fish spawning. The best diving is typically from February to May.
Statistics
Historical data and trends
Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions
Centers Map
PERTH SCUBA
4/180 BANNISTER ROAD, 6115 CANNIING VALE, WA - AUS
SOUTHCOAST DIVING SUPPLIES
84B Serpentine Road, 6330 ALBANY, WA - AUS
DIVE LOCKER FREMANTLE
SHOP 1 PETER HUGHES DRIVE, 6160 FREMANTLE, WA - AUS
RUSTY FREEDIVING
2/1 BADEN STREET, 6017 OSBORNE PARK, WA - AUS
ADRENO PERTH
2/376 South Street, 6163 OCONNOR, WA - AUS
DIVING FRONTIERS
Unit 7, 6021 BALCATTA, WA - AUS