Diving in Rowley Shoals
Why dive here
Rowley Shoals offers some of Australia's richest diving, with 365+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and humpback whales. Water ranges 26-31°C, warmest January, February, March.
Rowley Shoals is a commitment, pure and simple. You’re sailing 300km off the Kimberley coast, so this isn't a quick hop. What you get in return, though, is some of Australia’s most vibrant, remote reef diving. We love the sheer energy here, the way the currents sweep through the atolls, bringing in pelagics and keeping the coral in exceptional condition. Visibility is often absurd, 30 meters plus, making those deep walls even more dramatic. We've seen schools of fusiliers so thick they momentarily block out the sun, and the sheer number of parrotfish, like the Batavian, munching on coral is impressive. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, we’ve spotted Moorea Pygmygobies tucked away if you look carefully. The best time to visit is during the calmer months, typically September to November, when the ocean swells are less pronounced, making those liveaboard journeys much more comfortable. Don't expect dive shops, this is expedition diving.
Rowley Shoals Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Rowley Shoals
Rowley Shoals Dive Sites
8 dive sites in Rowley Shoals
Clerke Reef
Clerke Reef. Now, this is what we picture when someone says ‘remote Australian diving’. The sheer scale of the coral bommies here is incredible, some of them towering up from the seabed, solid walls of staghorn and brain coral. We’ve drifted along the outer edges, feeling that gentle push of the current, watching schools of twinstripe fusiliers stream past, glittering like confetti. Keep an eye out for the Maori wrasse; they’re enormous here and incredibly curious, often coming right up to check you out. It’s the clarity that really hits you. You can be at 20 metres and still see the dive boat silhouetted on the surface. We love the feeling of just hanging there, suspended, with whitetip reef sharks gliding effortlessly below and the occasional glimpse of a honeycomb filefish camouflaged against the coral. This isn't a dive for chasing tiny critters, though you’ll spot flame cardinalfish and dusky blennies tucked away. Clerke is for soaking in vast, unspoiled reefscapes, for divers who appreciate pristine environments and don’t mind a journey to get there.
Cod Hole
Cod Hole, within Rowley Shoals, offers a reliable encounter with potato cod, often in significant numbers. We've seen them curious and unfazed by divers, often circling close. The site is a straightforward coral dive, generally suitable for most experience levels, focusing more on these impressive fish than complex reef structures or currents.
Imperieuse Reef
Imperieuse Reef, one of the three atolls making up the Rowley Shoals, feels properly remote. You're out in the Indian Ocean here, a good distance off the coast of Broome, and the journey alone makes it feel like an expedition. Diving here often involves drifting along the outer walls, watching for pelagics that cruise in the blue. We've seen reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, and big schools of trevally on most trips. The coral itself is healthy, plenty of hard corals, with soft corals filling in the gaps. It’s definitely a spot for divers who appreciate wide-angle views and a sense of genuine wilderness, rather than hunting for macro critters.
Imperieuse Reef
Imperieuse Reef sits within the Rowley Shoals, a proper frontier dive. We love the sheer isolation of the place, it feels like you're really out there. Dropping in, you're immediately struck by the clarity – it’s like diving in gin. The currents here are what makes it special, they funnel nutrients, so the coral growth is just phenomenal. You’ll see enormous table corals, brain corals, and staghorn thickets that have grown unchecked for decades. This isn't a site for the faint-hearted or those new to current. You'll often find yourself zooming along, past schools of fusiliers so dense they temporarily blot out the sun. Keep an eye out for the bigger pelagics; we’ve had some incredible tiger shark encounters here, and the barracuda are always patrolling the reef edge. It’s a site for experienced drift divers who appreciate truly pristine coral and the thrill of big fish action in an untouched environment. Our best tip? Go early in the season, before the winds pick up.
Lively Shipwreck
We love a wreck that feels like a real discovery, and the Lively at Rowley Shoals delivers exactly that. It’s not just a collection of scattered parts; this is a proper shipwreck, a British clipper that ran aground way back in 1879. You really get a sense of history here. We’ve found ourselves finning through huge schools of fusiliers, so thick they almost block out the light, darting between the corroded ribs and plating. Keep an eye out for the resident trevally and groupers that patrol the deeper sections of the wreck. This site is a fantastic choice for experienced wreck divers who appreciate the story behind the metal, and it offers plenty to explore without feeling overwhelming. Visibility here is usually excellent, often pushing 30 metres, which makes those penetration sections feel a lot more comfortable. Our favourite part? The way the sunlight shafts through the gaps in the hull, illuminating the clouds of glassfish sheltering within. It’s a proper adventure.
Mermaid Reef
Mermaid Reef, part of the remote Rowley Shoals, gives you a real feel for the wild Indian Ocean. It’s an exposed but rewarding spot, where the currents often bring in some impressive pelagics. We've seen grey reef sharks patrolling the drop-offs and schools of bumphead parrotfish cruising the reef flats. The coral here is robust, built to withstand the ocean's surge, and the sheer scale of the reef system is what really strikes you. It’s a good choice for divers comfortable with a bit of current, looking for that genuine wilderness experience rather than a sheltered lagoon.
Rowley Shoals
Rowley Shoals sits a fair way out from Broome, a proper journey across the Indian Ocean, but for divers who make the trip, it’s a unique spot. These aren't your typical fringing reefs; they're three atoll-like structures rising from deep water, creating some seriously dynamic dive conditions. We’ve drifted through channels here, watching schools of trevally dart past, and the coral structures themselves are robust, showing off a resilience we appreciate. It’s definitely a trip for those comfortable with deeper water and the occasional current, offering a sense of remoteness that's hard to beat.
V in the Wall
V in the Wall at Rowley Shoals is a classic wall dive, dropping away into the blue. We've seen reef sharks patrolling the edge and schools of trevally darting past. It's a drift dive, so it's best for divers comfortable with current and looking for pelagic action rather than macro photography.
Rowley Shoals Dive Centres
No dive centres listed in Rowley Shoals yet. Browse all dive centres.
Ocean Wildlife in Rowley Shoals
365 species recorded in Rowley Shoals
Rowley Shoals Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Rowley Shoals, calculated from coordinates
Today - Sunday 11 October
Sunrise
05:38
Sunset
18:02
Daylight
12h 24m
Golden Hour
17:33
First light (dawn) at 05:16 · Last light (dusk) at 18:24
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 05:41 | 18:44 | 13h 3m |
| Feb | 05:58 | 18:37 | 12h 40m |
| Mar | 06:06 | 18:19 | 12h 13m |
| Apr | 06:12 | 17:55 | 11h 43m |
| May | 06:20 | 17:39 | 11h 19m |
| JunShortest | 06:31 | 17:37 | 11h 6m |
| Jul | 06:33 | 17:44 | 11h 11m |
| Aug | 06:22 | 17:54 | 11h 31m |
| Sep | 05:59 | 17:58 | 11h 59m |
| OctNow | 05:35 | 18:03 | 12h 28m |
| Nov | 05:20 | 18:15 | 12h 55m |
| DecLongest | 05:24 | 18:33 | 13h 9m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Rowley Shoals.
Where to Stay near Rowley Shoals
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Marine Protected Areas near Rowley Shoals
2 protected areas near Rowley Shoals - please respect local regulations when diving
Mermaid Reef
Rowley Shoals
Getting to Rowley Shoals
Broome
Port Hedland
Derby
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