Steep Point is the westernmost point of the Australian mainland, a place of high limestone cliffs where the Indian Ocean meets South Passage, the entrance to Shark Bay between the mainland and Dirk Hartog Island. It is famous for land-based game fishing – over 320 fish species have been recorded – and for its remoteness: the last 200 km are sand tracks, and an entry permit from the rangers is required.

The Shark Bay tourism authority describes Monkey Rock at Steep Point, located on a fault line, as one of Shark Bay's best-known dive sites, reachable by boat or land but requiring optimal weather. The fault line produces walls and ledges, and the confluence of ocean and bay water brings large fish – the same pelagics that draw the rock fishers: mackerel, tuna, cobia, trevally, sharks (which frequently take hooked fish) – as well as reef species on the wall.

This is expedition diving for highly experienced, self-sufficient divers: strong currents, swell, sharks, no services and a very long way from recompression. The Steep Point rangers can advise on conditions and track access.

Steep Point is about 670 km north of Perth. Leave the North West Coastal Highway at the Overlander Roadhouse, follow the Shark Bay Road and then the Useless Loop Road; the final section is sand-dune 4WD track (about 200 km from the highway; 232 km by track from Denham). An entry permit and camping fees are payable at the ranger station about 20 km before the point.

Divers need their own gear, air and preferably a boat launched at Shelter Bay/Blackies Beach; the ferry to Dirk Hartog Island leaves from Blackies Beach.

Shark Bay is dominated by strong southerly winds, which blow most days from about October to March and often exceed 20 knots by late morning; the calmest conditions are in April-June and on early mornings. The inner bay is shallow and well protected from ocean swell, but the western shores of Dirk Hartog Island and Steep Point face the full Indian Ocean. Water is 17-19°C in winter and 23-26°C in summer.

Steep Point faces the Indian Ocean and South Passage, with strong tidal currents through the passage and heavy swell on the cliffs; the Shark Bay tourism guide notes that Monkey Rock requires optimal weather.

Only in optimal conditions: enter from the boat in the lee, follow the fault-line wall at 10-20 m, watch the current, and surface on a DSMB for pickup.

No dive operator – self-sufficient expedition divers only.