Marine Life Network describes Rolland Passage as a 750 m wide passage in the Easter Group with coral gardens from 5 to 30 m, home to butterflyfish, parrotfish, cuttlefish, angelfish and coral trout. Nearby Soumi Island Passage, south of Eagle Nest Passage, has shallow water near the reef flat and rapid slopes, with racoon butterflyfish, staghorn and plate corals and clownfish at the drop-off.

These passages showcase the tropical side of the Abrolhos, with dense hard coral and colourful reef fish at a latitude south of Geraldton. Tidal flow makes them good drift dives. They are usually dived on liveaboard itineraries along with Anemone Lump.

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. Rolland Passage and Soumi Island Passage (south of Eagle Nest Passage) are in the Easter Group, visited by liveaboards; dive from a tender with live pickup.

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. Passages carry tidal flow; dive with the tide as a drift or at slack water.

Drop in at the edge of the passage and drift along the coral gardens at 10-20 m with the tide, surfacing on a DSMB for tender pickup.

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.