Smiths Beach is a popular surf beach just south of Yallingup, but in calm weather its rocky ends offer good snorkelling. Marinelife.org.au notes rocky areas for snorkelling with good fish life and attractive marine life, and says a boat is needed to reach reefs a few hundred metres offshore. The Aquarium lagoon lies between Smiths Beach and Canal Rocks along the coastal trail.

The granite and limestone around the headlands support weed, sponges and reef fish such as wrasse, buffalo bream and herring cale, and the offshore reefs promise more structure and bigger fish for boat divers. Visibility is good on calm days but drops quickly when swell stirs the sand.

The site suits confident snorkellers and shore divers who can read surf and rips, and boat divers exploring the Yallingup coast. It is not reliable - many days are too rough - but it is worth checking on flat summer mornings. Published detail is limited, so depths are indicative.

The resort and cafe at Smiths Beach provide facilities, and the beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers in the summer season - swim between the flags when not snorkelling.

The Capes coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin faces the Indian Ocean and is famous for its surf, which is exactly what makes diving here so condition-dependent. Long-period south-westerly groundswell can arrive on calm, sunny days, and the regional ocean-safety guide advises observing a site in different conditions before diving it, never diving alone and flying a flag near boat ramps.

From Yallingup drive south about 4 km on Caves Road and turn onto Smiths Beach Road; park at the beach car park. Snorkel around the rocks at the northern end in calm conditions. The offshore reefs require a boat launched from Canal Rocks or elsewhere on a calm day.

The nearest full-service dive shop for fills and hire is Swan Dive in Busselton; there is no dedicated dive shop in Margaret River or Augusta, so bring filled cylinders.

An exposed surf beach; only snorkel on small-swell days with easterly winds, typically summer mornings. Rips are common in any swell. General pattern on the Capes and Leeuwin coast: summer mornings often have light easterly (offshore) winds before a south-westerly sea breeze, and long-period south-westerly groundswell can arrive on otherwise calm days; winter fronts bring big swell and north-westerly winds.

Check the Bureau of Meteorology swell forecast, not just the wind.

Snorkel around the rocks at the northern end in calm water; boat divers explore the reefs a few hundred metres offshore at 5-12 m. Agree a turn pressure before descending (half gas, or a third where current is likely), carry a DSMB, and make a 3-minute safety stop at 5 m.

No regular dive operator; self-guided snorkel from shore; offshore reefs from private boats. Nearest dive services: Swan Dive (Busselton/Port Geographe) for fills, hire, nitrox and charters; no dive shop in Margaret River or Augusta.