What to do in Parks – Scuba Diving
Western Australia is a scuba diver’s paradise and is quickly become a top diving destination. Diving allows you to explore a diverse and lively marine world on pristine reefs and interesting shipwrecks. WA is renowned for the megafauna its waters host, including whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and several species of sea turtles. Maori wrasses, potato cod and giant clams are other frequent residents of dive sites. And of course, the hard and soft corals teem with abundant colourful reef fish. Occasionally schools of trevally, mackerel, tuna, large bait balls and even the occasional solo marlin are seen on dives.
According to The Scuba Page the ‘Must Do’ scuba dives in Western Australia’s Marine Parks are:
Rottnest, just off the coast of Perth is a popular getaway for family-friendly water-based activities including diving. The waters are teeming with a diverse range of fish and coral species and 13 historic shipwrecks for divers to explore.
Ningaloo Reef is a treasure trove of marine life with over 220 species of coral and 500 species of fish. Located in the Northwest of WA, with Coral Bay and Exmouth being the access towns, Ningaloo Reef is home to turtles, sharks, manta rays and dolphins year round. One may even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the incredibly shy dugong. Whales and whale sharks visit the area seasonally (April to October).
About 260 km west of Broome, Rowley Shoals features three separate coral atolls that are renowned in diving circles for their breathtaking wall dives. Divers swim amongst giant clams and shellfish and explore one of the ocean’s largest and most pristine coral gardens.