The Rowley Shoals, Western Australia

1. A summary of the Rowley Shoals
2. Where are the Rowley Shoals?
3. What can I see there?
4. Which boats cruise there?
5. When’s the best time to visit?

Exploring the Rowley Shoals with Great Escape. Image (c) Great Escape Charter Company.

1. A summary of the Rowley Shoals

As a keen diver and snorkeller, I can whole-heartedly say that the Rowley Shoals is one of the best places on earth, particularly if you love the ocean and its creatures. I first visited in my early 20s just after I’d received my Advanced Diver certification. I have since married a diving instructor and have helped write a book about 50 of the world’s best dive sites which, of course, includes the Rowley Shoals. Go – you’ll love it! – Melissa, Kimberley Cruise Centre

The Rowley Shoals, located approximately 300 km west of Broome, Western Australia, are a series of three pristine coral atolls: Clerke Reef, Imperieuse Reef, and Mermaid Reef. These remote reefs are renowned for their crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral gardens, and abundant marine life, including over 600 fish species and 200 types of coral.

Accessible only by liveaboard vessel, the Shoals offer some of the world’s most spectacular diving and snorkelling experiences. Protected as part of the Rowley Shoals and Mermaid Reef Marine Parks, these reefs are a haven for marine biodiversity and a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

Exploring the Rowley Shoals with Great Escape. Image (c) Great Escape Charter Company.

2. Where are the Rowley Shoals?

The Rowley Shoals are located approximately 300 kilometres off the coast of Broome in Western Australia. Positioned in the eastern Indian Ocean, they lie roughly 1,500 kilometres southwest of Indonesia’s Java and Bali islands, making them one of Australia’s most isolated and pristine reef systems. Most cruise vessels tend to depart from Broome late in the afternoon, steaming though the night so that guests can wake up in paradise and dive straight in!

The Rowley Shoals in proximity to Broome. Map (c) Great Escape Charter Company.

3. What can I see there?

The Rowley Shoals are famous for their exceptionally clear waters, sometimes offering visibility beyond 60 metres, making them ideal for diving and snorkelling. Each atoll surrounds a calm lagoon, providing sheltered habitats bustling with activity.

Divers and snorkellers can encounter over 200 species of coral and more than 600 species of fish, including vibrant reef fish, whitetip and grey reef sharks, barracuda, trevally, mackerel, and sweetlips. The reefs also support sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and whale sharks. Birdwatchers may spot red-tailed tropicbirds and occasionally white-tailed tropicbirds nesting on Bedwell Island. The region’s pristine waters and diverse ecosystems make it a premier destination for marine enthusiasts.

4. Which boats cruise there?

Coming soon…

Swimming in pristine waters with bottlenose dolphins. Image (c) T. Thimios.

5. When is the best time to visit the Rowley Shoals?

The best time to visit is during the “doldrums” season, from September to December, when light winds and calm seas prevail, providing optimal conditions for underwater exploration.

August to October
This period is the best time to experience Rowley Shoals. Weather is stable, water temperatures are ideal for diving, and visibility is at its clearest, offering incredible opportunities to see the Shoals’ abundant marine life. Whale sharks also pass through during these months, adding to the underwater spectacle. Coral and fish species are at their most vibrant, making it a prime time for exploration.

October
October brings the annual coral spawning, typically about a week after the full moon. Millions of coral eggs and sperm are released, attracting numerous fish and other marine creatures. The reefs become a lively, teeming environment, offering a rare glimpse of the reef’s reproductive cycle.

November to March
While the wet season may bring rougher seas and lower visibility, plankton blooms during this season increase nutrients, supporting different marine species, including sharks and rays, and contributing to the reef’s ecological health.