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If your ideal holiday involves secluded beaches, underwater adventures and uninterrupted ocean views, it might be time to book a trip to one of WA’s pristine islands.
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Updated •
Published
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Visiting one of the many islands that fringe WA’s coastline is a unique way to get up close and personal with some of our state's most beautiful nature, wildlife and scenery. Explore by foot, kayak, SUP, or boat, and don’t forget to pack your snorkel; these are 10 island experiences to tick off your WA bucket list.
Comprising more than 1,000 small islands, the Buccaneer Archipelago is rugged, remote, and mostly untouched. Sitting north-west of the town of Derby, the islands are characterised by sandy white beaches, beautiful mangrove estuaries, rugged cliffs, Indigenous rock art and rich patches of rainforest.
One of the most impressive aspects of the archipelago is Talbot Bay’s Horizontal Falls, a powerful tidal current that flows through two narrow gorges. The water in the falls surges with incredible force, causing the tide to rise and fall as much as ten metres within six hours. The tidal pressure and sheer volume of water create a horizontal water effect, contributing to the falls’ name.
Along with its stunning natural features, the archipelago is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including snakes, birds, crocodiles, and a wide range of fish. Throw a line in and you might catch barramundi, snapper, tuna or Spanish mackerel. Learn how to hunt for them, and even gigantic mud crabs could be on the dinner menu.
How to get there: From Broome, join a sea safari, cruise, flight or charter boat tour to reach the islands of the archipelago.
The Dampier Archipelago comprises 42 coastal islands and islets, forming the richest area of marine biodiversity in Western Australia. With over 650 species of fish and numerous coral gardens, sponges, and seagrass, the archipelago is a haven for diving and snorkelling. It’s also home to one of the densest collections of Aboriginal rock art and history, with hundreds of examples of turtles, fish, kangaroos, and wallabies etched into stone.
If you’re heading underwater, you’ll likely spot green, loggerhead, hawksbill and flatback turtles, as well as dugongs, bottlenose dolphins and manta rays. Dolphin Island is one of the archipelago’s most popular diving and snorkelling spots.
This archipelago is also a prime spot for history buffs, as there are ruins on West Lewis, Gidley and Malus islands to explore. On West Lewis Island, you’ll encounter ruins believed to have been one of the early pastoral settlements of the archipelago. On Malus Island, you’ll find the remains of old whaling and pearling stations, and on Gidley Island’s Black Hawk Bay, you’ll see the remains of the pearler campsite and a few grave sites. The east side of Enderby Island is another point of historical interest as the resting place of numerous boats and planes.
While there are no formal facilities, beach camping is permitted in some spots along the archipelago, including Angel Island, Gidley Island and Collier Rocks, for a maximum of five nights.
How to get there: Boat charters, cruises and scenic flights are available from Dampier. Or, you can launch your own boat from the ramps in Dampier, Karratha Back Beach, Johns Creek, Point Samson and Cossack.
Coral atolls, shallow lagoons, and water so clear that snorkels seem obsolete; you’d be forgiven for thinking this were a description of the Whitsundays or Maldives. But, it also applies to the Kimberley’s Rowley Shoals Marine Park. Comprised of three coral atolls (or ringed reefs)—Clerke Reef, Imperieuse Reef and Mermaid Reef—the park’s waters are teeming with tropical corals, fish, and larger marine animals, including manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins and whales. If you’re lucky, you may also spot giant clams, giant potato cod and Maori wrasse.
In addition to its fantastic diving opportunities, the marine park is also a prime spot for big-game fishing. The deep ocean floor within the park is home to world-famous gamefish, including marlin, wahoo and dogtooth tuna. Though it’s an incredibly popular spot for recreational fishing, it’s up to you to know the rules – so make sure you’re abiding by the Department of Fisheries requirements.
How to get there: Charter boats and cruises depart from Broome. As it’s a 12-hour journey, many boat charters depart Broome at sunset to arrive at the park by sunrise. Conditions are best from September to December.
Ten pristine islands and atolls make up the Pilbara’s Mackerel Islands, and, between them all, there’s a variety of marine wildlife experiences to be had. Diving and fishing are, naturally, some of the most popular pastimes around the islands. If diving, you’ll head at least three metres below the surface to discover gropers, reef sharks, stingrays and plenty of fish. Conditions can be somewhat challenging out there, so it’s recommended that you have previous diving experience. If you don’t, opt for a safe snorkel around the islands’ main reefs instead.
The Mackerel Islands are home to the Pilbara’s ‘fishiest’ waters, nicknamed so for the abundance of red emperor, sailfish, crayfish, and more. There's a good opportunity to try different styles of fishing here, as boat, beach and fly fishing are all popular with experienced anglers who visit.
Extend your visit with a few days’ stay on Thevenard Island. Book a beachfront cabin and bring your kayak, snorkel or SUP board to explore the surrounding waters. In summer, marine turtles use the island’s beaches to nest and rest, so be careful not to disturb them. There are several 4WD tracks you can follow to explore the island further, but if you’d rather go on foot, follow the 6km Thevenard Eco Walk Trail. Passing 12 points of interest, the walk should take you around three hours to complete.
How to get there: Charter flights from Exmouth to Thevenard Island are available, or bring your own boat across from Onslow.
On the eastern side of the Exmouth Gulf, Wilderness Island—an ecological paradise known for its ruggedness and excellent fishing—is a WA island adventure that flies under the radar. You can stay overnight out here, but there are only five beachfront eco cabins, so you’ll have to book your stay well in advance. All have uninterrupted ocean views and furnished front porches, perfect for watching the sunset.
If you’re eager to cast a line in, the island is famous for fly fishing on the flats, which are just a short walk from the eco cabins. Headlands protect these flats, so they’re great spots to fish no matter the time of year. You’re likely to catch sailfish, longtail tuna, Spanish mackerel and cobia off the island.
How to get there: From Exmouth, it’s a 15-minute scenic flight or a one-hour boat ride (in good weather).
Dirk Hartog Island is the biggest island in WA. Known for its tranquil beaches, rugged cliffs and blowholes, the island is a haven for marine wildlife and an idyllic spot to snorkel, dive, fish or swim. Some of the most notable sites on the island include the blowholes, the pink Rose Lake, Turtle Bay and Cape Inscription, the landing site of Captain Dirk Hartog in 1616.
On the southern end of the island, Surf Point is an excellent spot for snorkelling and diving. And, from July to October, it’s home to hundreds of nervous sharks, which are fascinating to observe. If you’re eager to view more sharks, head to Quoin Bluff South to spot baby sharks swimming in the shallows.
Each beach, cliff, or point of interest on the island is linked via four-wheel drive tracks, so you’ll need a high-clearance four-wheel drive to explore the island. Most of the tracks are hard sand, but there are a few rocky sections, so take extra care and read our beginner’s guide to four-wheel driving in WA for more tips and information.
How to get there: Via Denham, take a boat or charter flight. Alternatively, a landing barge called the ‘Hartog Explorer’ is available to transfer four-wheel drive vehicles from Steep Point (located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area) to the island. Bookings on the barge are essential. It operates in the mornings, 364 days a year.
Often dubbed the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, this 192-island chain off the coast of Geraldton is infamous for its shipwrecks and stories of mutiny. More than that, it’s a world-class snorkelling, diving and fishing destination. Head beneath the surface and you’ll be amongst beautiful coral gardens, colourful fish, seagrass meadows and all kinds of sea life, including the vulnerable Australian sea lion. For a scenic underwater route, follow one of the islands’ seven self-guided dive and snorkel trails.
One of these trails will lead you through the remains of the Batavia, famous for wrecking on the islands in 1629. Often touted as one of WA’s best diving spots, the ship’s hull, cannons and anchors are fully visible to anyone who ventures down, as are beautiful coral gardens and fish, including dhufish, baldchin gropers and Spanish mackerel.
If you’d rather spend time on land, try your hand at fishing in the Abrolhos’ abundant waters. Some of WA’s most prized eating fish—dhufish, coral trout and emperor trout—are possible catches, as well as octopus, scallops and Western rock lobster. Recreational fishing is permitted around the islands within certain seasons, so before casting a line in, contact the Department of Fisheries for further information.
How to get there: The islands lie approximately 60 kilometres west of Geraldton, and can be reached by flight or charter boat.
Situated off the coast of Perth, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island is a snorkelling enthusiast’s paradise. With over 80 beautiful beaches and bays to explore, Wadjemup’s coral reefs and wrecks are filled with a diverse range of fish and coral species.
One of the best snorkelling spots on the island is the 800m-long Parker Point Marine Snorkel Trail. Located on the southern edge of the island, the trail comprises a series of plaques on the sea floor which contain information about Wadjemup’s history and sea life. Though a beautiful trail, it’s not for beginners; if you’re a less experienced snorkeller, the neighbouring Little Salmon Bay may be a better spot to practice.
Surfing is another popular pastime on Wadjemup, with some of the most consistent surf breaks in the state; the most are at Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay or Stark Bay. Alternatively, if you’d rather try a reef break, Radar Reef, Cathedral Rocks, and Chicken Reef are also excellent spots. Waves off the island can be up to three feet higher than waves at Perth beaches, so don’t go in unprepared.
There’s plenty to do on land on Wadjemup, too. Take your pick from segway tours, bike rides, quokka meet-and-greets, museum visits and much more. To better understand the island’s rich history, hop on a walking tour with Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences. Local Noongar guide and Traditional Owner Walter Maguire will escort you, perform a traditional sand or water ceremony, share Dreamtime stories, and sing traditional Noongar songs.
How to get there: You can take a scenic flight or seaplane from Perth, but the most popular option is to hop on a ferry. Ferries depart daily from Fremantle or Hillarys – plus, RAC members save on ferry vouchers with Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast Ferries.
Islands, reefs, and shipwrecks: it’s all there at the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, a haven for avid snorkellers, wildlife watchers, and kayakers. Along with its plentiful fish and coral, the park’s Seal Island is home to a colony of rare Australian sea lions, which you may spot in nearby waters, and a few hundred little penguins who call Penguin Island their home.
One of the best ways to explore the park is in a kayak or on a SUP board. There’s an 8-kilometre paddle trail that takes you past the park’s islands and reefs, and is a great way to tick off the key sights in one go. Starting at Point Peron, you’ll pass the cove at Bird Island, sea lions asleep on the beach at Seal Island, and a nice picnic area on Penguin Island, where you’ll turn around to complete the looped trail. It’s recommended to complete this trail in the mornings from September to May – and if you don’t have your own equipment, you can hire it in Rockingham.
Although the Penguin Island Discovery Centre is no longer open, you can still visit Penguin Island to join a guided wildlife walk, where you’ll also learn about the island’s cultural history and unique flora and fauna. There’s no promise you’ll see penguins on the walk, but it’s the best chance you’ve got at spying them in the wild.
How to get there: Return ferries and cruises depart from Rockingham and take you to and around the park’s various islands.
Also known as ‘The Bay of Isles’, the Recherche Archipelago comprises 105 islands that stretch over 230 kilometres. The archipelago’s surrounding waters are teeming with sea sponge, coral and various fish and mammal species, including the rare minke whale and large groups of dolphins. Some of the most notable islands within the archipelago are Woody Island (the only island with public access), Middle Island, and Salisbury Island, which serves as a breeding ground for Australian and New Zealand fur seals.
If you’re an avid snorkeller, make the Woody Island Snorkel Trail in Shearwater Bay your first stop. The bay’s crystal-clear, temperate waters provide excellent visibility, and the trail is a short swim from the bay’s swimming platform. If you’re lucky, you may spot the elusive leafy seadragon here. There are plenty of other snorkelling opportunities across Woody Island, too, as there are numerous drop-offs, caves and swim-throughs that make up the island’s underwater outcrops.
Middle Island—which you can only visit on a charter at certain times of the year or see on a scenic flyover—is home to one of WA’s most impressive natural features: the bubblegum-pink Lake Hillier. The lake is separated from the Southern Ocean by a thin strip of sand, which creates an aesthetically pleasing contrast of blue water, white sand and pink water.
How to get there: To reach the archipelago, catch a ferry boat from the Taylor Street Jetty in Esperance, or fly from the helipad in Esperance Bay. The ferry operates daily from November to June
