Crystal from Yallingup Surf School surfing with her dog at Smiths Beach. Credit Rachel Claire.
01.12.2022

The Margaret River Region is an aquatic playground.

Surfing, fishing, diving, boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming – the list goes on. The options are so endless that just deciding what to do on the water can be a little overwhelming. That said, it’s absolutely worth getting out and experiencing all of the fun our coast and rivers have to offer.

Here are six ways to get wet and wild in the Margaret River Region. If you would like to take part in a tour or guided experience we highly recommend booking ahead, to ensure you don’t miss out!

Stand Up Surfing Paddleboarding
Get out on the water with Margaret River Stand Up Surfing.
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Stand UP Surfing

The latest fitness craze to sweep the globe, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) involves standing on a large paddleboard and using a paddle to propel yourself across the water.  Variations include paddleboard surfing, paddleboard tours, and even paddleboard yoga, and at the Stand Up Surfing school in Margaret River you can experience them all.

This team of experienced instructors will show you how to ride one of their paddleboards, share their intimate knowledge of the local coastline and river systems on guided tours, and even run you through a yoga class on the water!

It’s excellent fitness, and an awesome way to gain a different perspective on Margaret River’s rugged and intricate coastline.

Busselton Jetty Observatory credit Osprey Creative
Take a glimpse into the mysterious world under the sea with Busselton Jetty. Photo: Osprey Creative.
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Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory Tours

If you thought all there was to the Busselton Jetty was a long walk above the water on the pier, think again.

As if said walk wasn’t glorious enough alone, the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory offers a glimpse into the mysterious world under the sea.  Eight metres deep beneath the end of the jetty, you can see all the natural wonders of the marine world from the windows of the underwater observatory, with forests of vivid tropical and sub-tropical corals, and up to 300 individual marine species.

Not even wild weather can get in the way – the Virtual Reality tour offers the chance to dive without even getting your hair wet, as you take a 3D vision tour beneath the jetty complete with mermaids and marine life. Experience the magic!

Augusta River Tours
Augusta River Tours are a great way to spot the local wildlife.
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Augusta River Tours on the Blackwood River

One of the most unique aquatic experiences a water-lover can have in the Margaret River Region, a guided cruise up the magnificent Blackwood River should be essential-touring on any holidaymakers list.

This incredible unspoilt wetland ecosystem is home to an array of wildlife and maintains a pristine and peaceful atmosphere to be enjoyed with Augusta River Tours. Graeme Challis, Skipper of The Dolphin Discoverer and Augusta local, has grown up along the river and will share his intimate knowledge of its waters with all who grace his deck.

From private discovery tours to sundowners with a barbecue on board, this is one aquatic adventure you can’t miss on your visit to the Margaret River Region.

Boy surfing at Smiths Beach - Yallingup Surf School. Credit Rachel Claire / Fieldnotes
Hit the waves and learn to surf. Photo credit Rachel Claire.
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Surfing

The Margaret River Region is famous for its waves, and it’s no secret why. Distant storms from the infamous Roaring Forties wind belt consistently send huge waves to the coast, where local limestone reefs sculpt the incoming swells into rideable waves.

The region is abundant in excellent reef and beach breaks – Surfers Point, Gracetown’s North and South Point, and Yallingup Mainbreak are excellent options for the experienced surfer, but there are also plenty of sheltered nooks and crannies for the beginner to hone their skills.

Surf schools operate at the Yallingup Lagoon, sheltered parts of Smiths Beach, Margaret River Mouth, and Redgate Beach, where gentle rolling waves offer you the chance to experience what the region is all about!

Person jumping into rock pool (coasteering) with Margaret River Adventure Company. Photo credit Tim Campbell.
Go coasteering with Margaret River Adventure Company. Photo credit Tim Campbell.

Coasteering

Leaping into crystal clear lagoons and climbing granite boulders, all under the expert eye of Cam O’Beirne from Margaret River Adventure Company, is something that the whole family will love. Coasteering involves climbing up rocks and jumping into the water, with the tour catering to different skills and confidence levels. As the only coasteering tour, this is your chance to take the plunge and have a memorable new experience.

Diver at the HMAS Swan Dive site, in Geographe Bay.
Join Swan Dive for the best wreck dive in WA, the ex-HMAS Swan.

Dive A Shipwreck

For experienced divers looking for their fix, a trip with Swan Dive to the HMAS Swan in Geographe Bay is a must. The vessel was purposely sunk in the bay in 1997 to become an underwater playground and you can expect to see schools of fish and numerous species of coral, while exploring the exterior and interior of the wreck.

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