In April 2026 the Western Australian Government announced a $1.4 million artificial reef for recreational fishers in Albany, to be built in King George Sound about 9 km east of the town off Ledge Beach. It will be the ninth artificial reef funded through the State's Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund, following reefs at Mandurah, Dunsborough, Bunbury, Exmouth and other centres, and is expected to be operational by early 2027. The City of Albany is managing the tender for design, fabrication and installation.

The reef is designed to create new habitat and support species such as silver trevally, samson fish, harlequin fish, Australian salmon, whiting and squid. Structures used elsewhere in WA include large steel and concrete reef modules and 'fish towers' that rise several metres off the bottom and quickly accumulate sponge, algae and invertebrate growth – for example the Dunsborough and Bunbury reefs have become popular dives within a few years of deployment.

Once deployed, the reef should offer a straightforward, sheltered boat dive close to Emu Point, complementing the natural reefs of Michaelmas Island. Divers should check Recfishwest and City of Albany announcements for coordinates, depth and any restrictions.

Albany is 418 km (about 4.5 hours) south-east of Perth via Albany Highway. Charter boats and private boats launch either from the Emu Point boat ramp (Emu Point Drive, 7 km north-east of the CBD, with a large trailer car park, toilets and a fish-cleaning station) or from the town ramp beside the Albany Waterfront marina in Princess Royal Harbour, which exits into King George Sound through the harbour entrance past Possession Point. The reef is planned for waters off Ledge Beach, about 9 km east of Albany and a short run (about 10 minutes) from the Emu Point ramp.

Final coordinates will be published by Recfishwest/City of Albany once the structures are deployed.

King George Sound is sheltered from the Southern Ocean by Flinders Peninsula, Bald Head and Breaksea and Michaelmas Islands, which is why Albany can offer diving on days when the open coast is wild. The planned site off Ledge Beach on the northern shore of the sound will be sheltered from the Southern Ocean swell but exposed to south-westerly winds blowing across the sound and to easterly sea breezes. Visibility is expected to resemble other inner-sound sites (5-15 m), reduced after winter rain.

To be determined once the reef is deployed and its layout and depth published.

Not yet deployed (planned for early 2027). Once installed, likely to be visited by South Coast Diving Supplies and private boats.