The Top 6 Snorkelling Spots in WA - Australian Traveller

WA is home to some of the most incredible marine life in the country and there’s no better way to experience it than by joining them underwater.

With over 12,000 kilometres of coastline, Western Australia is bursting with marine activity and snorkelling spots that are begging to be explored. It’s also believed to be home to more than 1600 shipwrecks.

Shipwreck Hunters Australia , the new six-part docuseries on Disney +, follows experienced divers and underwater filmmakers as they make world-first discoveries at long-lost shipwreck sites around Tryal Rocks, Ningaloo Reef, Houtman Abrolhos Islands and more.

The team behind Shipwreck Hunters, Ryan Chatfield and Nush Freedman have revealed their top six spots to snorkel and interact with marine life in Western Australia.

These snorkelling spots suit beginners and families all the way up to the more advanced and range from easily accessible to a little more remote and isolated. Here they are.

1. Fish Hook Bay, Rottnest Island

Best time to visit: December – May

Experience level: Intermediate to expert

Fish Hook Bay is one of the most protected bays on Rottnest Island. Nestled into the southern side of the West End, boats must carefully navigate between two huge chunks of the reef to reach the calm and tranquil waters of the bay.

Jellyfish floating in the water at Rottnest Island, Western Australia — See the marine life at Fish Hook Bay. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

With an average depth of around two to five metres, the bay is home to an abundance of sea creatures and an ever-changing sea floor.

It’s a great location to do some exploration snorkelling, with a beautiful cave on the eastern side that greets you with stunning shafts of light that dance and shimmer on the sand floor.

Coral and snorkeller at Rottnest Island, WA — Fish Hook Bay is a great location to do some exploration snorkelling. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

It’s common to spot large smooth, black, fiddler and eagle rays, buffalo bream, western blue devils, king wrasse, nudibranch, sea cucumbers and sea stars.

Chatfield rates this spot because it’s rough and rugged at the West End, and you never know what you are going to encounter down there. You can’t always access it due to the weather but when you score it, it’s as good as it gets!

Aerial shot of Fish Hook Bay on Rottnest Island in WA — The average depth is around two to five metres. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

2. Coral Bay

Best time to visit: June – October

Experience level: Beginner to expert

Coral Bay on Australia’s Coral Coast needs no introduction. Snorkelling from Bills Bay is a beautiful place for beginners to intermediates to be treated to an underwater experience they will never forget.

Drone shot of Coral Bay on the Coral Coast of Western Australia. — Coral Bay is iconic. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

Other great accessible locations are Five Fingers Reef and Oyster Bridge. As soon as you enter the warm waters of Coral Bay you can sense the pristine marine environment all around you. And when you leave the surface, you are immersed in another world.

Crystal clear waters teem with brightly coloured fish, too many to name and so many to see. They dart and dance between stunning hard and soft coral outcrops. Sea turtles cruise lazily through the waters, stopping every now and again to munch and crunch.

Fish and coral underwater at Coral Bay, a snorkelling spot in WA. — The crystal clear waters of Coral Bay make it a one-of-a-kind snorkelling experience. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

Chatfield has had beautiful encounters with manta rays, lemon sharks, leopard sharks, eagle rays, whale sharks, and you can even spot humpbacks.

“I always like to stop and stay still in Coral Bay when I’m in the water, just find a nice sandy patch and go to the bottom," he said.

“That’s when you really see the reef and all its creatures.

“Coral Bay is really an incredible location, but it is also very fragile. We encourage people to be conscious of body positioning when they’re snorkelling, to avoid damage to the coral and destruction of marine habitats."

Turtle swimming above coral at Coral Bay in WA — You might spot a turtle at Coral Bay. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

3. Gnaraloo

Best time to visit: June – October

Experience level: Beginner to expert

Gnaraloo is a little more off the beaten track. It’s off-grid with no reception, so take everything you need for your time away.

Drone shot of Gnaraloo, snorkelling spot in WA — Gnaraloo is off the beaten track. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

With the isolation comes the pristine marine ecosystems of the Coral Coast, though. Gnaraloo Bay is a beautiful shallow lagoon that lends itself to an easy-going drift dive.

If you walk 500 metres up the beach, put all your gear on and then swim 50 – 75 metres offshore you’ll find yourself gently pushed along on one of WA’s best snorkel spots.

Using your fins and hands as rudders you can steer yourself as you go, much like a self-guided tour of the coral gardens, you can zoom in for closer views of the huge stag horn coral outcrops.

Aerial shot of Gnaraloo, snorkelling spot in WA — Gnaraloo Bay is a beautiful shallow lagoon. (Image: Ryan Chatfield, Terra Australis)

4. Lakeside, Exmouth

Best time to visit: March – October

Experience level: Beginner

Lakeside is located inside the Cape Range National Park in Exmouth on the Ningaloo Reef.

There are three sets of coral bommies surrounded by tropical fish over glistening white sand here and the depth ranges from two to five metres.

This spot is a little bit deeper than most of the other snorkelling sights in the Cape Range National Park so it’s perfect for those wanting to improve their snorkelling skills and get out into a bit deeper water.

Because of the extra depth, it’s a great place to find reef sharks and stingrays under the coral ledges or cruising on the sand between the coral bommies. And it’s also a popular spot to see turtles.

Turtle in crystal clear blue water at Lakeside in Exmouth WA — Have you ever swum with a turtle? (Image: Nush Freedman, Terra Australis)

5. Mettams Pool, North Beach

Best time to visit: November – May

Experience level: Beginner to advanced

This beautiful snorkelling site is perfect for both beginner and advanced snorkellers. You can expect to see cool water corals, sponges and lots of fish life as well as the occasional visits from port Jackson sharks, eagle rays, octopus, seals and stingrays.

If you are a beginner snorkeller you can stay inside the reef and snorkel in the shallows where it’s beautiful, calm and perfect for families with small kids.

If you are feeling more adventurous you can head out to the back of the reef and get lost in all the swim-throughs full of fish and little caves. There are incredible sea grasses moving in the swell and once you are out the back of the reef the water gets a bit deeper so it’s great for finding larger fish species such as buff bream which usually school in hundreds which is remarkable to swim through!

Mettams Pool has a special place in Freedman’s heart because it was a big part of her childhood growing up in the northern suburbs of Perth.

“I would recommend choosing a day with minimal swell as these conditions are better when venturing out to the back of the reef and usually the water is a lot clearer," she said.

Scuba diver a Mettams Pool — Mettams Pool has options for all experience levels. (Image: Nush Freedman, Terra Australis)

6. Osprey Bay, Exmouth

Best time to visit: March – October

Experience level: Intermediate

Osprey Bay has got to be one of the most beautiful snorkelling sights on Ningaloo Reef.

This spot is also located inside the Cape Range National Park and is an underwater paradise.

Accessible from the shore, you will need a kayak or paddle board to get out to the snorkelling site as it is about 700 metres from the shore, so it’s only suitable for confident snorkellers.

The paddle over is beautiful as you travel over the Ningaloo Lagoon where you can often see dolphins cruising by or turtles popping their heads up for a breath.

Osprey Bay ranges between two to eight metres in depth and is home to some spectacular corals and tropical fish. If you’re lucky you might also see reef sharks, stingrays, and turtles cruising by.

Leopard Shark in the sand on the ocean floor at Osprey Bay, Exmouth, WA. — Leopard sharks frequent Osprey Bay. (Image: Nush Freedman, Terra Australis)

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

The top 6 snorkelling spots to interact with marine life in WA