reef

Rowley Shoals, Australia

Mermaid Reef

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Mermaid Reef

Why dive here

With 365+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and humpback whales - Mermaid Reef offers some of Rowley Shoals's richest reef diving. Water ranges 26-31°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Giant Moray Eels, Grey Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and Humpback Whales · 365+ species recorded

Water26-31°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.