Rowley Shoals

The Rowley Shoals National Marine Park a days cruise and 250 km west of Broome you find the Rowley Shoals, a scuba diving site that must rank among the most ‘remote’ and pristine marine areas in the world. The Shoals are the remains of three volcanoes that rose out of the ocean, the tops of which became colonised by coral to form a chain of three spectacular and pristine coral atolls, each covering approximately 80 sq km. The three pear-shaped atolls have shallow lagoons inhabited by corals and abundant marine life. All three atolls are strikingly similar in dimension, shape, orientation and distance apart. Each atoll is north-south orientated, pear-shaped, with the narrow end towards the north. The Rowley Shoals rise with nearly vertical sides from very deep water. Mermaid Reef, the most northerly, rises from about 440 metres, Clerke from 390 metres and Imperieuse from about 230 metres.

The coral atolls of the Rowley Shoals are famed for their almost untouched coral gardens, giant clams and other shell fish. Giant potato cod and maori wrasse wait to be hand fed and follow scuba divers around, while colourful reef fish show little fear, and trevally, mackerel and tuna hover in schools. Over 200 species of coral and 650 species of fish inhabit the Rowley Shoals – including many species not found on nearshore coral reefs as well as humpback whales, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and other large reef species. At last count there where at least 28 species of staghorn coral alone. The coral and fish communities of the Rowley Shoals are unique in their composition, and relative abundance. The species themselves are more characteristic of south-east Asian reefs than other Western Australian reefs.

The Rowley Shoals rank among the most remote and pristine marine areas in the world where you can enjoy scuba diving holidays in a diverse and exciting diving environment. Lying on the very edge of Australia’s continental shelf, the Rowley Shoals are regarded as the best example of shelf atolls in Australian waters, and this is one of the reasons many consider the Rowley Shoals to be a scuba diving experience unmatched anywhere else in the world. The Rowley Shoals are subjected to a high tidal range, with 4 metre plus tides, flowing into and out of the reefs. The ebb and flow of these large volumes of water has helped to sculpt the reefs into dramatic formations. The tidal movement also hosts the most thrilling drift and snorkel dives through the channels.

Scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming are the most popular activities. Fishing is not permitted at Mermaid Reef. You can however fish at Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs, although potato cod, maori wrasse, coral trout, Queensland cod (groper) and all shellfish within 1.6 km of the reefs are fully protected.

The outside walls of the Rowley Shoals are alive with soft corals in every imaginable colour. At low tide the water becomes ponded within the reef walls with the water flowing over the atoll walls like waterfalls. At high tide, the reefs disappear beneath the sea, with only the sandy islands of Clerke and Imperieuse visible. The Rowley Shoals give you the opportunity to experience a diverse array of scuba diving environments including, lagoons, canyons, high speed drift dives and sheer outer reef wall dives. Often touted as the world’s last great ‘underwater wilderness’, the Rowley Shoals offer some of the most remote scuba diving within Australia. Scuba diving holidays and expeditions to this pristine location operate several times a year. The best time of year for a scuba diving holiday will be from June to November. We depart from Broome at sunset and arrive at the Rowley Shoals in time for morning tea. Our Cruises are 6 and 7 days in duration but we can tailor cruises to suit your requirements. For scuba dive bookings to this fascinating diving destination just contact Oceania Dive.

Oceania Supplies

Tanks, weight belts and air fills. We have a PCs so you can download and view pictures and videos or you may choose to bring along your own. We will have a divemaster on board, two dive compressors, oxygen, oxiviva and a first aid kit.

Guests must supply their own wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, safety sausage, cyalume stick,dive torch, camera etc. Please have all equipment serviced and checked before your trip, we have limited spares. This is adventure diving at its best and as such we recomend divers be at least Advanced standard or equivalent, however if you are less qualified but experienced and confident come along we'll look after you.

Some equipment can be hired in Broome, be sure to book in advance.

Dive computers are mandatory, please make sure yours is in good service with plenty of battery life, if it fails we may decide it is unsafe for you to continue diving. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, we are diving in a very remote area.