Mutton Bird Island lies off a sandy beach on the coast west of Albany, between Torbay and West Cape Howe National Park, and is named for the short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) that nest on it. It is one of the few shore dives on this wild stretch of coast that offers an easy entry.

Marine Life Network describes the site as 8-12 m deep with general reef fauna, reached via a sandy beach entry about 100 m from the car park (4WD optional), and recommends it as a good night-dive location. The granite reef around the island has kelp and sargassum on top and sponges and ascidians in the gutters, with old wives, sweep, herring, wrasse, scalyfin, leatherjackets and harlequin fish. The sand edges hold rays and flathead, and at night crayfish, octopus and invertebrates emerge.

The Torbay coast is otherwise known for exposed, rugged sites – Tor Bay Head and the cliffs near Cosy Corner, and West Cape Howe, the southernmost point of Western Australia, where Marine Life Network notes excellent fish life but conditions that turn wild in moderate swell, and Dunsky Beach on the lee of West Cape Howe with swim-throughs but possible strong rips. Mutton Bird Island is the gentle option among them.

It suits Open Water divers exploring independently from Albany or Denmark on a calm day, and snorkellers in summer. Fill tanks in Albany before driving out, check the swell forecast carefully, and let someone know your plans because the coast here is quiet and phone coverage is patchy.

From Albany drive west on the South Coast Highway/Lower Denmark Road toward Elleker and Torbay, then follow the signed road to Muttonbird Beach (about 30 km, 30 minutes); the last section may be gravel. Park at the car park and walk about 100 m to the beach; 4WD vehicles can get closer. Enter from the sand and swim toward the island and surrounding rocks.

This coast faces the Southern Ocean and the site relies on the island and headlands for shelter. It is diveable only when the south-westerly swell is small (under about 1.5 m) and winds are light or northerly. Strong southerly and westerly weather makes the beach entry dangerous.

Marine Life Network describes the entry as easy and the site as a good night dive in the right conditions.

Enter from the beach, swim out to the island and descend at the reef edge in 8-12 m, circling the rocks in the lee before returning to the beach. At night, stay in the sheltered shallows.

No operator – independent shore dive.