Dive slate · divesites.com.au · printed 7 Nov 2026
Leeman & Fishermans Islands
Turquoise Coast, Western Australia · near Leeman
| Depth | 1–12 m |
|---|---|
| Minimum level | Open Water |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Access | Shore or Boat |
| Entry | Beach entry, or small boat for offshore islands |
| Current | Mild |
| Visibility | 8-20 m |
| Water | summer 21-23 °C, winter 18-19 °C |
| Suit | 3-5 mm wetsuit |
| Best season | October-April |
| Bottom time | 45 min |
| Position | -29.95000, 114.98000 (approximate) |
| Permit | Jurien Bay Marine Park northern boundary is near Green Head – check whether sites fall inside; Fishermans Islands nature reserve. |
| Nearest chamber | Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 300 km by road |
| Emergency | 000 · DAN Asia-Pacific diving emergency 1800 088 200 |
Leeman & Fishermans Islands
Also known as Leeman, Snag Island, Fishermans Island, South Leeman
Sheltered lagoon snorkelling and offshore islands with a large Australian sea lion colony.
Near Leeman · Turquoise Coast, Western Australia
- Depth
- 1–12 m
- Minimum level
- Open Water
- Access
- Shore or Boat
- Boat ride
- Shore entry
- Water
- 21-23 °C
- Visibility
- 8-20 m
Leeman & Fishermans Islands1–12 m · Open Water · Shore
Dive factsDepths, conditions, location & safety
Season
In season nowBest months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December.
Dive facts
- Depth
- 1–12 m
- Typical depth
- 4 m
- Certification
- Open Water
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Depth tier
- Open Water (10–18 m)
- Access
- Shore or Boat
- Dive centre needed
- No – independently diveable
- Shore / independent
- Yes
- Current
- Mild
- Visibility
- 8-20 m
- Water temp (summer)
- 21-23 °C
- Water temp (winter)
- 18-19 °C
- Water
- Temperate
- Bottom time
- 45 min
- Dive traffic
- Rarely dived (private boat/club only)
- Night dive
- No
- Snorkel friendly
- Yes
Exposure suit
3-5 mm wetsuit
Location
Leeman · Turquoise Coast – Jurien Bay
-29.95000, 114.98000
Approximate position — not for navigation.
Open in Google MapsPrimary source: westernaustraliaexpert.comMarine park & permits
Jurien Bay Marine Park northern boundary is near Green Head – check whether sites fall inside; Fishermans Islands nature reserve.
Nearest recompression chamber
Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 300 km by road
Diving emergency: call 000, then DAN AP 1800 088 200.
Trip planner
Build a trip around Leeman & Fishermans Islands →
A day-by-day plan for Turquoise Coast 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
Leeman & Fishermans Islands is a shore / rock platform shore dive you can do independently in Turquoise Coast, WA, 1–12 m, suited to Open Water divers.
Rated beginner: sheltered, shallow and manageable for a newly certified diver on a normal day, though note boat traffic overhead.
Why dive here
- Sheltered lagoon snorkelling and offshore islands with a large Australian sea lion colony.
- Snorkel-friendly, so non-diving companions can join at the surface.
- Rarely dived: expect to have the site to yourself, and plan your own logistics.
- Visibility often reaches 8-20 m.
About Leeman & Fishermans Islands
Leeman is a small crayfishing town at the northern edge of the Turquoise Coast, 12 km north of Green Head. Like Green Head, it has a sheltered lagoon behind offshore reef, and local guides list South Leeman among the area's snorkel spots. Offshore, the Fishermans Islands host one of the largest colonies of endangered Australian sea lions on the coast, and the offshore islands and reefs are described as great for scuba diving.
The habitat is Turquoise Coast limestone: ledges, overhangs and small caves, seagrass meadows, and a mix of temperate and tropical fish. Western rock lobster is the local industry, and the reefs support buffalo bream, western king wrasse, harlequin fish and baldchin groper.
There is no dive operator in Leeman, so divers need their own gear and boat. Sea lion interaction tours run from Jurien Bay, and independent boaters must follow marine mammal guidelines and stay clear of haul-outs.
Getting there & entry
Small fishing town north of Green Head with sheltered lagoon snorkelling behind offshore reef; the Fishermans Islands offshore host one of the largest Australian sea lion colonies on the coast.
Leeman is about 300 km (3.5 hours) north of Perth, 12 km north of Green Head on the Indian Ocean Drive. Snorkel from the town beaches and South Leeman, parking along the foreshore. Small boats launch at the Leeman boat ramp to reach offshore reefs and islands; the Fishermans Islands lie offshore between Green Head and Leeman (nature reserve – do not land or approach hauled-out sea lions).
Entry: Beach entry, or small boat for offshore islands
Facilities: Foreshore parking, boat ramp, general store and caravan park in Leeman. Air fills in Jurien Bay.
Weather, swell & tides
The Turquoise Coast is protected by a line of offshore limestone reefs and islands that break the prevailing south-westerly swell, creating a lagoon of calm, clear water inshore. The main enemy is wind: the strong southerly sea breeze ('Fremantle Doctor') blows most summer afternoons from about 11 am, and winter north-westerly fronts bring storms and poor visibility. Mornings from October to April are best.
Leeman's lagoon is protected by offshore reef; boat trips to the islands need swell under about 2 m and should return before the afternoon sea breeze.
Best season: October-April
If it's blown out
Sheltered or shore sites within 25 km that often work when Leeman & Fishermans Islands doesn't.
- Dynamite Bay & Point Louise (Green Head) · 13 km · Max 6 m
How the dive is usually run
Snorkel along the inshore reef edge from the beach. By boat, dive limestone reef near the islands in the lee at 6-12 m, keeping clear of sea lion haul-outs.
Marine life
- Australian sea lions →
- western rock lobster
- buffalo bream
- western king wrasse
- harlequin fish
- baldchin groper
- seagrass
Linked species have their own page listing every site where they are recorded. All marine life →
Training required
Within the 18 m limit of an entry-level certification.
Courses that help here
- Peak Performance Buoyancy – Silt and low visibility punish poor trim.
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
Keep away from sea lion haul-outs; boat traffic from the cray fleet; unpatrolled; afternoon sea breeze.
Dive centres that go here
No local operator; Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience (40 km south) for gear and tours.
Operators recorded for Leeman & Fishermans Islands
Other dive centres in Turquoise Coast
Map
7 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
Satellite views
Leeman & Fishermans Islands: frequently asked questions
How deep is Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Leeman & Fishermans Islands reaches a maximum depth of 12 m, with the shallowest part at about 1 m; most of the dive is spent around 4 m.
What certification do I need to dive Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Open Water is the recommended minimum. Rated beginner: sheltered, shallow and manageable for a newly certified diver on a normal day, though note boat traffic overhead.
Can I shore dive Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Yes. Leeman & Fishermans Islands is a shore dive that can be done independently: beach entry, or small boat for offshore islands.
When is the best time to dive Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
October-April.
What marine life will I see at Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Regularly recorded: Australian sea lions, western rock lobster, buffalo bream, western king wrasse, harlequin fish, baldchin groper, seagrass.
What wetsuit do I need at Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
3-5 mm wetsuit.
How cold is the water at Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Typically 21-23 °C in summer and 18-19 °C in winter.
What are the main hazards at Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Keep away from sea lion haul-outs; boat traffic from the cray fleet; unpatrolled; afternoon sea breeze. See the hazards section above for the full list.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Leeman & Fishermans Islands?
Fiona Stanley Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Murdoch, Perth) – about 300 km by road. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
Diving in Turquoise Coast
Jurien Bay and the Turquoise Coast between Perth and Geraldton have sea lion colonies (Jurien's swims are among the best in Australia), limestone reefs, the wreck-strewn Cervantes coast and the Beagle Islands.
Getting there: Two to three hours north of Perth. Sea lion tours and dives from Jurien Bay; shore dives at Jurien and Green Head.
Sources
Data confidence: Low · Being verified: Snag Island (v1 reference) not documented; Fishermans Islands location relative to Leeman/Green Head approximate. Description under 250 words.. Last updated September 2026. Know this site better? How to send a correction
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