Things To Do On Water

Snorkelling & Diving

Shark Bay is not a well-known destination for snorkellers and divers but is a wonderful place to explore the underwater world.

• Eagle Bluff has clear shallow waters (1-5m deep) around the base of the bluff ideal for snorkelers to view marine creatures up close. Enter the water from the beach on the eastern side of the bluff. About 100m from the south-eastern point is a sand patch with a number of coral bombies where sea stars, sea cucumbers and sea urchins hide among the rocks and coral.
• Gregories in Francois Peron National Park has a shallow coral wall just offshore that is perfect for a drift snorkel. The reef is only in 2-3 m water and supports small areas of coral and abundant fish.
• Bottle Bay in Francois Peron National Park has a reef about 2-4m deep and 80m off the beach. It has a small patch of corals and sponges with tropical fish and crustaceans.
• Surf Point is a sanctuary zone at the southern end of Dirk Hartog Island with good coral cover and abundant fish in shallow water.
• Bar Flats is a popular dive and snorkel site accessible by boat. It is 3m deep and abounds in small fish and cabbage, staghorn and soft corals. Yellow tubeworms, sponges, sea anemones and passing dugongs may also be seen.
• Sandy Point is a sanctuary zone on the eastern side of Dirk Hartog Island with some of the best coral Shark Bay.
• Monkey Rock at Steep Point is on a fault line running from Steep Point and is one of Shark Bay’s best known dive sites. It can be reached by boat or from the land but diving should only be attempted in optimum weather conditions and on a slack or incoming tide.
• The wreck of the Gudrun lies in 6 metres of water about 10km north of Cape Peron in a sanctuary zone. It is home to a proliferation of marine life including spotted groper, lionfish, pilotfish, batfish, sweetlip, trevally and mackerel. Divers are welcome to explore the wreck but currents can be dangerous – dive only on a slack, and preferably neap, tide and only with an experienced operator.

Windsurfing & Kite-boarding

Shark Bay has plenty of wind, much to the delight of windsurfers and kite boarders. These activities are becoming increasingly popular with sites like the Denham foreshore, Little Lagoon and Monkey Mia attracting a small band of dedicated boarders when winds are strongest in summer.

Kayaking & Paddling

The large inner gulfs of Shark Bay are almost totally protected from the powerful Indian Ocean swells and are therefore great for sea-kayaking and other paddle craft. The best time of year is during winter when the wind drops.

Paddlers will be rewarded with breath-taking scenery, limestone islands, rich red sand dunes, massive sea grass beds and abundant wildlife. Contact sea-kayak companies in Perth for itineraries that include Shark Bay. If you have your own kayak, discuss trip options with local Parks and Wildlife staff.

Short trips with stand-up paddle-boards, canoes and smaller craft are just as rewarding and make the most of brief wind drops throughout the year.

Fully formed boat ramps suitable for launching large boats are located in Denham, Monkey Mia and Nanga Bay Resort. Small boats can be launched off the beach at Gladstone and Bush Bay on the Wooramel Coast, Shelter Bay near Steep Point and some sites in Francois Peron National Park.

Please Remember

• Strong southerly winds are the norm in summer. Always check local conditions before heading out.
• Generally the waters throughout Shark Bay are shallow so keeled boats have difficulty navigating in many areas.
• Boat access is restricted in certain areas to protect sensitive habitats, breeding populations and other recreational activities.
• Reduce boat speed around dugongs, turtles and whales. Approach dugongs and turtles at slow speed and keep at least 50m away. Stay 100m from whales and do not go within 30 degrees either side of their direction of travel.
• Note the location of seagrass banks and stay away from shallow areas to minimize propeller damage. Seagrasses are the foundations of Shark Bay’s ecosystems and, once removed, can take decades to recover.
• Anchors cause severe damage to coral and seagrass and should not be used. Anchor only in bare sand.
• Shark Bay is rich in bird life, including migratory and breeding seabirds. It is also Australia’s most important nesting area for loggerhead turtles. Observe and conserve – do not disturb nesting turtles and seabird colonies.