Dive into discovery: snorkelling and underwater adventures

Stretching nearly two kilometres into Geographe Bay, the Busselton Jetty isn’t just the longest wood-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere — it’s also one of the most unique dive and snorkel sites in Australia.

As you journey along the jetty, you’ll see the underwater landscape transform: from sandy shallows and seagrass beds to deeper waters home to squid, stingrays, sea lions, and even the occasional dolphin.

Snorkel straight from the shore or leap off the many platforms to uncover a vibrant coral wonderland. Be sure to check out the Underwater Sculpture Park, featuring 13 hauntingly beautiful installations by WA artists. If you’re looking to dive, operators like Swan Dive offer scuba experiences at the jetty and the HMAS Swan, one of Australia’s premier dive wrecks.

Protected from the prevailing south-westerly winds, Geographe Bay is a haven for beginner snorkellers and marine life alike. Explore the glasssy sand flats of Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay, or venture to rocky headlands like Castle Rock and Point Picquet, where the fish are even more diverse and plentiful.

Keep an eye out for octopus, wrasse, and schools of baitfish. For those who prefer a guided experience, Oceania Experiences offers eco tours by boat out to Cape Naturaliste, providing views of the Bunker Bay seal colony.

This sheltered lagoon marks the southernmost reach of both tropical and subtropical fish. Calm, clear, and always inviting, Yallingup Lagoon is ideal for families and beginners. Thanks to its sanctuary status, marine life thrives here, with larger species taking refuge while using the reef as shelter from ocean swells.

A dramatic meeting point of granite, surge channels, and turquoise pools, Canal Rocks offers a snorkelling spot for the adventurous. Tucked beside the boat ramp, a small, protected cove reveals herring, wrasse, groper, and even abalone. Confident swimmers can take a thrilling drift through the canal, where a natural current will sweep you under the bridge, but it’s essential to only attempt this when swell conditions are low, as the current can be unpredictable.

To reach Injidup Point, take a scenic walk along a vast stretch of pristine beach, where the waters mirror Canal Rocks but feature more granite outcrops and lush kelp beds. You might spot dolphins feeding in the shallows or rays cruising through weed beds, making this ideal for serene snorkelling and nature-lovers seeking solitude.

Nestled beside The White Elephant Beach Café, Gnarabup Beach is protected by offshore bomboras and features a limestone seabed, the perfect habitat for Western Rock Lobsters and reef fish. You can snorkel around the limestone headland to discover ledges, caves, and coral fans, with the family-friendly beach offering food, shade, and easy entry points. Just be mindful of occasional currents near the reef breaks.

Famous for its friendly stingrays, Hamelin Bay is one of the region’s most beloved spots, boasting sheltered waters and a mix of limestone and granite seabed for fantastic underwater exploring. Rays often come close to the shoreline, so please remember to respect their space and never touch or feed them. The gentle, calm conditions make this spot ideal for kids and beginners.

Near Augusta, Flinders Bay is tucked behind Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Southern Oceans converge, creating one of the most unique snorkel spots in the region. The bay is often calm and glassy with good wind protection and features a jetty perfect for jumping into your underwater expedition and a grassy foreshore ideal for a post-dive picnic.

With so many coves, lagoons, and reefs tucked along the coastline, the Margaret River Region is more than a surfing paradise — it’s an underwater playground. Whether you’re hunting lobsters, chasing rays, or simply floating through seagrass, there’s a snorkel spot waiting to steal your breath away. If you’re unsure where to start, check the Ngari Capes Marine Park WA visitor guide for information on protected areas and other recommendations.