Dive slate · divesites.com.au · printed 9 Nov 2026
Drummond Cove
Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia · near Geraldton
| Depth | 2–10 m |
|---|---|
| Minimum level | Open Water |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Access | Shore |
| Entry | Beach entry |
| Current | Mild |
| Visibility | 5-10 m |
| Water | summer 22-24 °C, winter 19-20 °C |
| Suit | 5 mm wetsuit |
| Best season | Calm mornings in autumn and spring |
| Bottom time | 50 min |
| Position | -28.67000, 114.61000 (approximate) |
| Permit | None known |
| Nearest chamber | Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 420 km by road; RFDS aeromedical evacuation from Geraldton |
| Emergency | 000 · DAN Asia-Pacific diving emergency 1800 088 200 |
Drummond Cove
Also known as Drummonds Cove
Quiet shore dive around small rocks and reefs north of Geraldton.
Near Geraldton · Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia
- Depth
- 2–10 m
- Minimum level
- Open Water
- Access
- Shore
- Boat ride
- Shore entry
- Water
- 22-24 °C
- Visibility
- 5-10 m
Drummond Cove2–10 m · Open Water · Shore
Dive factsDepths, conditions, location & safety
Season
In season nowBest months: March, April, May, September, October, November.
Calm mornings in autumn and spring
- Best months
- Now (November)
- Stinger suit Nov–May
Dive facts
- Depth
- 2–10 m
- Typical depth
- 7 m
- Certification
- Open Water
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Depth tier
- Easy (0–10 m)
- Access
- Shore
- Dive centre needed
- No – independently diveable
- Shore / independent
- Yes
- Current
- Mild
- Visibility
- 5-10 m
- Water temp (summer)
- 22-24 °C
- Water temp (winter)
- 19-20 °C
- Water
- Subtropical
- Bottom time
- 50 min
- Dive traffic
- Rarely dived (private boat/club only)
- Night dive
- No
- Snorkel friendly
- Partial
Exposure suit
5 mm wetsuit
Location
Geraldton north · Mid West – Geraldton
-28.67000, 114.61000
Approximate position — not for navigation.
Open in Google MapsPrimary source: marinelife.org.auMarine park & permits
None known
Nearest recompression chamber
Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 420 km by road; RFDS aeromedical evacuation from Geraldton
Diving emergency: call 000, then DAN AP 1800 088 200.
Trip planner
Build a trip around Drummond Cove →
A day-by-day plan for Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands with this site locked in.
This guide is a planning aid. Conditions change daily — confirm with a local dive centre and dive within your training. Data & safety notes.
Dive profile
How this site rates
Scores are computed from the recorded data, not opinions. How?
At a glance
Drummond Cove is a shore / rock platform shore dive you can do independently in Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands, WA, 2–10 m, suited to Open Water divers.
Rated beginner: sheltered, shallow and manageable for a newly certified diver on a normal day.
Why dive here
- Quiet shore dive around small rocks and reefs north of Geraldton.
- Rarely dived: expect to have the site to yourself, and plan your own logistics.
About Drummond Cove
Drummond Cove is a small seaside community 12 km north of Geraldton. Marine Life Network lists it as a 4WD-access shore dive of 7-10 m with interesting marine life around small offshore rocks and reefs and visibility of 5-10 m, best in good weather only.
The limestone rocks and reefs support buffalo bream, sweep, wrasse, herring and rock lobsters, with the mix of temperate and tropical species typical of the Geraldton coast. It is a quieter alternative to Point Moore for independent shore divers. Little else has been published about the site.
Getting there & entry
Small coastal settlement and cove 12 km north of Geraldton with small offshore rocks and reefs in 7-10 m, reached by 4WD beach access.
From Geraldton drive north on the North West Coastal Highway and turn west onto Drummond Cove Road (about 12 km, 15 minutes). Marine Life Network describes 4WD access to the dive entry; park near the beach, carry gear across the sand and swim out to the small offshore rocks and reefs.
Entry: Beach entry
Facilities: Limited – local shop in Drummond Cove; full services in Geraldton.
Weather, swell & tides
Geraldton is one of the windiest towns in Australia: a strong southerly sea breeze blows most afternoons from October to April, often 20-30 knots, and winter brings north-westerly fronts. Marine Life Network estimates Point Moore is diveable only about 60 days a year, with the best windows in March-May and September-November, typically on early mornings or on rare days of easterly land breeze. Drummond Cove is only diveable in good weather; visibility is typically 5-10 m.
Best season: Calm mornings in autumn and spring
If it's blown out
Sheltered or shore sites within 25 km that often work when Drummond Cove doesn't.
- Geraldton Harbour Breakwater & Jetties · 12 km · Max 8 m
- Mayhill Wreck (Geraldton) · 12 km · Max 6 m
- Point Moore (Geraldton) · 13 km · Max 15 m
How the dive is usually run
Swim out from the beach to the offshore rocks, explore the reef around them at 7-10 m and return to shore.
Marine life
- Buffalo bream
- sweep
- wrasse
- herring
- western rock lobster
- sponges
Linked species have their own page listing every site where they are recorded. All marine life →
Training required
Shallow enough for snorkellers and for a first dive under supervision. Any certified diver can dive it.
Depth tiers: 0–10 m easy · to 18 m Open Water · 18–30 m Advanced (25 m+ is a deep dive) · 30–40 m Deep specialty · 40 m+ technical. All courses
Hazards & warnings
Wind and swell exposure; 4WD beach access; unpatrolled.
Dive centres that go here
No operator – independent shore dive.
Operators recorded for Drummond Cove
Other dive centres in Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands
Map
7 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
Satellite views
Drummond Cove: frequently asked questions
How deep is Drummond Cove?
Drummond Cove reaches a maximum depth of 10 m, with the shallowest part at about 2 m; most of the dive is spent around 7 m.
What certification do I need to dive Drummond Cove?
Open Water is the recommended minimum. Rated beginner: sheltered, shallow and manageable for a newly certified diver on a normal day.
Can I shore dive Drummond Cove?
Yes. Drummond Cove is a shore dive that can be done independently: beach entry.
When is the best time to dive Drummond Cove?
Calm mornings in autumn and spring.
What marine life will I see at Drummond Cove?
Regularly recorded: Buffalo bream, sweep, wrasse, herring, western rock lobster, sponges.
What wetsuit do I need at Drummond Cove?
5 mm wetsuit.
How cold is the water at Drummond Cove?
Typically 22-24 °C in summer and 19-20 °C in winter.
What are the main hazards at Drummond Cove?
Wind and swell exposure; 4WD beach access; unpatrolled. See the hazards section above for the full list.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Drummond Cove?
Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 420 km by road; RFDS aeromedical evacuation from Geraldton. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
Diving in Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands
The Houtman Abrolhos, 60 km off Geraldton, are 122 islands with coral reefs, the Batavia (1629) wreck site and huge crayfish populations in water that mixes tropical and temperate species. Geraldton itself has the Point Moore reefs and the SS Sunbeam and other wrecks.
Getting there: Charters and short liveaboards from Geraldton, five hours north of Perth, mostly in spring and autumn.
All Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands dive sites and a suggested itinerary →
Sources
Data confidence: Low · Being verified: Coordinates approximate. Description under 250 words.. Last updated September 2026. Know this site better? How to send a correction
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