Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Western Australia

From the Exmouth Visitor's Center web site (link below) :
THE NAVY PIER RE-OPENS FOR DIVING
News Date: 1/07/2007
Closed since the 31st July 2006, the Navy Pier will be re opening for diving in July 2007. After a lengthy tender process, the Navy Pier, which is one of Australia's BEST TEN SHORE DIVES, will re open for certified divers. The successful tender was won by Ningaloo Reef Dreaming. To take a dive on this magnificent site please contact the Exmouth Visitor Centre for more information.

A dive on the pier, as described by Ningaloo Reef Dreaming:
After we pick up all the customers we will drive to our warehouse and meet at the briefing room. Here we will meet and greet and have coffee and tea and cookies! Yes, paperwork needs to be done, and then the Exmouth Navy Pier briefing. Once everyone knows what to do, with who and where and also what not to do and everything is clear, it is time to set up dive gear, including a safety sausage and compass for every diver. Time to drive to the Naval commander office for the key and correct passes, we are nearly there where we want to be, the water! A short site briefing, wetsuits on, kit up, buddy checks done and there we go! Unbelievable! The first thing we see is a large school of Barracuda, to the other side we see Batfish, large Cods and also a large school of Giant Trevally is swimming by. Well that is a start! We keep descending following one of the pylons of the Pier and we are surprised by all the coral we see, just fantastic. Coral trout, Snapper, Cods, Lion fish, you name it, we have seen them all. Then suddenly coming from behind one of the pylons appears a Queensland Groper, bigger than I am! Resting on a piece of the Pier structure is a Wobbegong Shark, just under the main Pier structure. We are heading South and challenge our buoyancy in between the pylons and Pier structure and on our way we welcome more coral with lots of Nudi Branches in all different colours, waving to us, fantastic macro opportunities-- this is a photographer's dream! White tip reef Sharks, Frog fish(es), and the Tawny Nurse Shark! There, an octopus is changing its colour and if we look up, all we can see are schooling fish. Time to go up and whilst we stay on the 5 meter mark we are surrounded by Trevally until we reach the surface. This was just unbelievable, now we know why the Exmouth navy Pier is rated amongst the top 10 shore dive sites in the world!!!! Warm Regards, Jeroen de Vries, Ningaloo Reef Dreaming (see link below) The NorthWest Cape covers a huge area with the Ningaloo reef stretching 260 km from slightly north of Exmouth to Amherst Point, south of Coral Bay. Exmouth is a small town of approximately 2500 people and is situated 1270 km north of Perth.

North of Exmouth (Western side of the cape), on Commonwealth Land (Naval Waters)and makes up part of the Murat Sanctuary zone. Navy Pier is also known as Point Murat Navy Pier.

Moore Reef is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Geraldton which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Point Peron is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Rockingham which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

This pool is a great place for family, first time snorkelled or for introducing children to snorkelling. There is also an access for the disabled. in line with LYNN St in TRIGG. It is between trigg point and north beach shops (30 minutes of Perth city). Mettams Pool is also known as Mettams.

the Sponge Garden Drift dive is a must do for the experienced diver. A majestic drift over a diverse collection of large sponges, gorgonians, and sea whips is an excellent way to experience the sea bed devoid of rock structures and coral bombies. The enormity and colours of the sponges and corals in this garden are impressive in their elegance. At the entrance to the Exmouth Gulf, east of the Navy Pier,

Wooden schooner, 124 tons, 88.8 feet long. Voyage from the Cape of Good Hope. There was a suggestion that her master had been careless or had deliberately wrecked the vessel. No lives lost. Transit reef (Duck rock), Thomson Bay.

Henrietta Rocks are just northwest of Dyer Island Hendersen Island is also known as Henrietta Rocks.

Southern side of Rottnest Island. Approx 40 minutes by boat from Fremantle; and 15 minutes by boat from Rottnest.

Lotties's Lagoon consisted of a sandy bottom with various coral pillars and bommie's scattered around.

Wooden barque 658 tons. From Fremantle for Shanghai, one life lost. Wreck lies on a sandy bottom in Bickley Bay with the bow wedged into a reef in about ten metres with a portion of her hull and ribs exposed. Some artefacts remain. Just west of Dyer Island

Awesom wreck dive on a custom sunk (1997) Australian navy Destroyer Escort, which stands with its keel at 30 m on a sandy bottom. It has been made diver safe, so knock yourself out with lots of cool swimthroughs on a BIG, INTACT, NON DEEP warship - great fun :-) Most of the ship is now covered in algae, and some schools of fish have moved in. 1.3 nautical miles off Point Picquet (Meelup Beach), near Dunsborough, Western Australia. H.M.A.S. Swan is also known as Fluffy Duck, HMAS Swan (DE 50).

Busselton Jetty. Access from shore

Very nice sponge life, look under the ledges for schooling bullseye, squid, octopuses, eels, boxfish and of course the elusive western blue devil are all highlights of this dive. very enjoyable dive and best in the evening around 4 o'clock in the summer. Good for crayfishing. To access follow the signs to the north mole (along north mole drive) you will get to the mole and simply drive to the end and park (hide you wallet because theives have been known) once geared up you will need to climb down the rocks ( super dodgy!!) and giant stride into the water. Follow the mole on the south side for as long as you like, keep the mole on your left, explore all the little nooks and crannies for critters, lionfish and western blue devils have been sighted at this spot before, also there are plenty of crayfish(make shure its in season and you have a license, hefty fines apply) be carefull not to stray into the channel because it is a controlled area! Fremantle North mole is also known as north mole.

Very nice peaceful summer dive, recommended for beginners because of its ease of access. as mentioned before there needs to be little or no swell and low winds for a few days before hand as the vis can get quite bad. there is a resident white barred boxfish called phill who is quite friendly and is a great photo opportunity. Short surface swimm from the Hillarys south wall. Located around 50m south of the wall it is most easily approached on a day of small swell as it can create quite a surge! hillarys marina has a dive shop so just ask if you get lost and they will point you in the right direction( the dive shop is called perth diving academy)!!

Dive trails joined by local dive club by ropes. several boat hulls and 2 aircraft that can be dived into 30ft long . lots of fish snapper (juvenile) sambos, and seahorses on the ropes, popular with dive courses , lots to explore and also very good at night. sometimes can be very silty depending on tide flow , good dive to get back into diving easy sandy slope to gradually get to 10 meters. good photo location. easy to find dive marker 50 meters off beach shallow beach entry then sandy dropoff to 10 meters.

Shallow waters off the coast make snorkelling easy. Area is sheltered by the island, reducing (or eliminating waves). Very large shallow area, suitable for beginners in snorkelling. The eastern (sheltered) side of Penguin Island (the same side as the boat jetty).

dive site itself is great, lots to see and gets quite deep, depth adds a feel to this site that isn't easily replicated. the reef is a mix of limestone outcrops and massive( like 10m high massive) boulders that look really cool in pictures. great whites have been spoted here on occasion but i think only once or twice. dolphins are a common occurrence. also a short paddle out into the bay reveals a brilliant surf break called quarries Go to Dunsborough and ask a local or follow sign posts to Cape Naturaiste, then Eagle Bay, then bunker bay simple! short walk down to the beach. Bunker bay is also known as Quarries.

Wedge Island is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Cervantes which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Short walk

Come face to face with large sharks, and wild dolphins

Drummond Cove is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Geraldton which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Lighthouse Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Geraldton which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Coral Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Exmouth and Ningaloo which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Coral bay

Nancy Cove is also known as Green Island.

MV Petrel is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Rockingham which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Denham Jetty is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Shark Bay which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Alkimos Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Kingston Reefs is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Bicton Baths is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Ammo Jetty is at John Graham reserve Woodmans Point Ammunition Jetty is also known as Woodmans Point Ammo Jetty.

Lancelin Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Cervantes which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Apex club is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Boy in the boat reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Macedon & Denton Hlomes Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Jackson Rocks is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Rocky Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Porpoise Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Trigg Point is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Geordie Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Waterman Beach is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Coral bay

The Basin is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Litte Armstrong Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Australia, WA, Perth, Rottnest which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Big Southern Stingrays can be found under here

North of Breaksea island.

Spear gun fishing, from 6m-50m dives available, multi-leveled, various fish and corals available to view and interact with. also whale chaser prop from a cheynes whale chaser submerged there. This site is accessed via boat launched from two peoples bay beach. trips there using a fast boat can be less than 10 mins Phantoms is also known as Two peoples bay d1.

Rock access from dunsky's point just past the bay. caves, swim through, long line fishing and spear fishing. various fish life with crayfish. night dives can reveal different species including leafy and weedy sea dragons. 4wd trail is about 30-45 mins trekking around picturesque and various countryside. the bay near the point is mostly sheltered and white sandy beach, good for swimming. 4wd access via track located off Shelleys beach road, recommend high wheelbase vehicle. can travel via water from sleeper track at cosy corner. Dunsky bay is also known as West cape howe.

50m long barge. D9 Wreck is also known as D9 Wreck - Cockburn Sound.

very good dive betwene morning and afternoon in short break during work

This is an artificial lake created when a creek was dammed to provide water to trains on the old Mahogany Creek rail line. Not much in the way of animals - only fish I have ever seen is the introduced mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki). Plenty of ducks and interesting plant life growing in the water. The water is tannin stained but quite clear. A good, very safe site for snorkel practice and photography. Easily accessed from the shore. It is now free to enter the lake reserve, but unless you are camping you must leave (or move your car outside of the gates) by 8pm.

Bad visibility at times due to suspended seagrass, but clear areas are interesting. Sheltered and calm area, great for beginners. Nice variety of fish hanging about the rocks and large shoals of baitfish nearby. If you stay near the wall boat traffic shouldn't be a problem. Park opposite the dive store on the northern side of the marina and enter via the beach.

This is a small, protected beach with its own change rooms. Provides an ideal, shallow area for swimming with the reef beginning a few metres from the shore. Recommend diving at high tide as the water is very shallow over the nearby reef at low tide. Plenty of interesting reef formations as well as a variety of fish and resident eagle rays in the sandy areas. One ray is particularly accustomed to humans and can be seen in the swimming area frequently. Just north of the well known Mettam's Pool. Located at the end of Hamersley Street in North Beach.

A brilliant site with various habitats (wall/reef, sand, seagrass), many species of fish and various other sea creatures. Many fishermen on the point and spear fishers in the water - use caution. Park near the end of the point and enter off the wall or from the nearby beaches.

well, we couldn´t see a lot. easy sandy slope. maybe some snakes, maybe some sharks. they promise manta rays.....if it´s the season of course. quite expansive stuff. 30mins by boat from Exmouth.

South Frementle Robb's Jetty is also known as Robb Jetty.

Visibility can vary from crystal clear to murky, depending on conditions. In the morning swimmers train over the reef and don't tend to look where they are going so keep an eye out. The area is popular with snorkellers, but not overcrowded. Where the reef breaks to sandy areas at the shore beachgoers are abundant. Large limestone reef at one of Perth's most popular beaches. Just enter the water and the reef is right there. The area can get busy, but is very safe with constant lifeguard prescence and shark spotting helicopters around. Watch out for stingers. The reef has areas of seagrass, caves, ledges and sandy patches resulting in a variety of fish and other creatures to see. North Cottesloe Reef is also known as Slimey's Reef.

A good spot for crays, usually toward the end of the season. The occasional due fish hangs around in the deeper caves. As the name suggests male Australian sea lions hang around on the island and the surrounding waters, do NOT touch them, not only are they protected but they can get very violent when they get uneasy or pissed off. During mating season they can get very frisky and will become very inquisitive when you are diving, a brilliant opportunity for photographers but they can be dangerous. Great whites have been sited but no attracts have occurred to divers. NOTE: It is not allowed on the island to take photos or get close to seals. It is a marine sanctuary. About 3 km out of hillarys boat harbour. Easy too see from the shore Little Island is also known as Seal Island.

nice and easy dive, you can enter at the end of the mole and just use the incoming tide to move you along. like all walls there isnt an abundance of fish visible but upon closer inspection they are everywhere. good for crays towards the end of the season!( make sure they are a legal size!!) small sharks have been spotted whilst diving here but they are usually only like 4-5 feet so its all good!! Hillarys marina is a popular tourist destination so there should be no problem in finding it! once there follow the signs to the north wall or ask the local dive shop (Perth Diving Academy) they will direct you in the right direction. entering the water can sometimes be a problem because it is a breakwater so you will need to be cautious. only attempt this dive when there has been calm conditions for around a week. Hillarys North Wall is also known as Hillarys mole.

A very easy, but interesting spot to snorkel. On calmer days the southern side, with it's natural reef can be accessed. Common species (north side): Woodward's Pomfret, Ogilby's Hardyhead, Yellow-finned Whiting, Stripey, Western Scalyfin, Red-lipped Morwong, Dusky Moorwong, Silver Drummer, Western Buffalo Bream Easily accessed, part of the popular Cottesloe Beach in Perth. Water on the northern side is protected and usually calm. Entry is via the beach.

An ideal spot even for people who can't swim at all. Coral stacks can be seen in waist deep water surrounded by spectacularly coloured fish. To the western side of the bay is a drift dive for stronger swimmers. Well signposted, popular bay in the Cape Range National Park, just south of Milyering Visitors Centre. Short walk from the carpark to the beach and the reef is literally right there.

lots of big fish and great coral not many wave to push you a riund great for all ages. so track you many need a 4x4 to get there . but for all the others you dont. it is only accessably by boat to the outer reef there are whale sharks (dont eat you). but there are some realy good ones in shore.

Good crab dive location. Also good for prawns at night. Most Prawns can be found at about 10m. Descend to about 10m then follow the depth contour to the right. This will take you infront of the boat pens, so be careful of boat traffic (there is very little at night) To return ascend 2 or 3 metres to avoid your silt trail, then reverse direction. In winter the first 5m or so may have almost zero vis, especially after rain. Below 5m you will enter salt water and the vis suddenly improves, and the water temperature increases. Sometimes you can see an abrupt transition between the fresh water above and salt below. This site is not effected by tide currents. There is a set of steps down to the water just to the West of the jetty. Swan River is also known as Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club Boat Shed.

The North Mole Barge is one of Perth's most accessible shore wrecks of some historic significance. Often referred to as the 'Gareenup Wreck', when in actual fact the wreck still remains unidentified. The wreck is of the construction of a steel hopper barge and due to having a boiler on site it likely had steam driven machinery or propulsion. The wreck is likely a dredge that would have worked the Swan River and Fremantle Port, but it is unknown when it was likely to have been sunk. Thought to have originally been destined for the Rottnest deep water graveyard it fell well short of its destination and was originally sunk 200 metres from its present day location. In 1988 due to expansion of the Fremantle port and with its popularity with local divers, the sunken barge was raised and finally laid to rest 180 metres north from the northern harbour sea wall. https://www.divingwawrecks.com/north-mole-barge