Beacon Island is the small island in the Wallabi Group where most of the Batavia survivors camped in 1629 and where most of the mutiny's murders took place; archaeologists have excavated mass graves there, and it is known as Batavia's Graveyard. Today it has a jetty and fishing shacks used seasonally by the rock lobster fleet.

Marine Life Network describes a dive trail off the jetty from 2 to 32 m, rated a great dive for fish: the passages bring in large pelagics such as Spanish mackerel, trevally and yellowtail kingfish, and bronze whaler and hammerhead sharks have been recorded, alongside coral-covered reef slopes and the Abrolhos mix of tropical and temperate reef fish. The passages can break heavily in swell.

The site is a natural complement to the nearby Batavia and Hadda wrecks and to a visit to the Wiebbe Hayes forts on West Wallabi Island. It suits Advanced Open Water divers comfortable with depth and possible current.

On a liveaboard itinerary the trail is usually dived early in the day when the tide suits, since the passages run hard mid-tide. The shallow top of the trail near the jetty makes a good safety-stop area, and the coral here shows the same tropical-temperate overlap as the rest of the Wallabi Group. Divers should respect the island itself: Beacon Island is an archaeological site of national significance, and landing is restricted. Bring a DSMB for pickup if drifting off the passage.

The Houtman Abrolhos lie 60-80 km west of Geraldton (about 420 km north of Perth). There is no public accommodation or camping on the islands, so divers visit on liveaboard trips departing Geraldton (a 3-5 hour crossing), on private vessels using the public moorings, or – for snorkelling only – on scenic-flight day tours that land on East Wallabi Island. Beacon Island is in the Wallabi Group near Morning Reef.

The trail starts off the Beacon Island jetty, and a public mooring is available. Access is by liveaboard or private boat.

The Abrolhos sit on the edge of the continental shelf in the path of the warm Leeuwin Current, which keeps water at 20-24°C and supports the world's southernmost major coral reefs. The islands are exposed to the south-west swell and to strong southerly winds that blow most afternoons from October to March; the crossing from Geraldton is often rough. Marine Life Network recommends March-May and September-November; late summer-autumn highs give the calmest seas.

Western rock lobster season (15 March-30 June) brings fishing camps and boat traffic. Marine Life Network warns that the passages near Beacon Island can break heavily in swell; tidal flow through the passages brings the pelagics but also current.

Start at the public mooring off the jetty, follow the trail down the reef slope toward the passage, hold at 15-20 m watching for pelagics, then return up the slope to the shallows.

Liveaboard only for diving: Image Dive – 'Southern Image', the only dedicated dive boat at the Abrolhos (4 days/4 nights from Geraldton, max 8 divers, 3-4 dives a day); Eco Abrolhos Cruises – 5-day small-group cruises from Geraldton with snorkelling and diving; occasional Perth club charters. Batavia Coast Dive & Watersports (Geraldton) runs Abrolhos trips when boats are available.