Dive slate · divesites.com.au · printed 9 Nov 2026
The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)
Perth, Western Australia · near Safety Bay
| Depth | 2–8 m |
|---|---|
| Minimum level | Open Water |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Access | Boat |
| Entry | Boat; anchor on the western side |
| Current | Mild |
| Visibility | 5–10 m |
| Water | summer 21–23 °C, winter 17–19 °C |
| Suit | 5–7 mm wetsuit with hood; 7 mm or semi-dry in winter |
| Best season | Calm summer and autumn mornings |
| Bottom time | 50 min |
| Position | -32.35500, 115.68167 (approximate) |
| Permit | Shoalwater Islands Marine Park (DBCA): sanctuary zones are no-take; keep at least 10 m from sea lions; landing and island access rules apply – check the current zoning map. |
| Nearest chamber | Fiona Stanley Hospital hyperbaric medicine unit (Murdoch, Perth) |
| Emergency | 000 · DAN Asia-Pacific diving emergency 1800 088 200 |
The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)
Also known as The Sisters, Sisters Reef
Easy, shallow limestone reef with ledges and caves in Warnbro Sound, often visited by resident sea lions.
Near Safety Bay · Perth, Western Australia
- Depth
- 2–8 m
- Minimum level
- Open Water
- Access
- Boat
- Boat ride
- ~12 min
- Water
- 21–23 °C
- Visibility
- 5–10 m
The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)2–8 m · Open Water
Dive factsDepths, conditions, location & safety
Season
Off-peak nowBest months: January, February, March, April, May, December.
Dive facts
- Depth
- 2–8 m
- Typical depth
- 5 m
- Certification
- Open Water
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Depth tier
- Easy (0–10 m)
- Access
- Boat
- Offshore
- 2.5 km
- Dive centre needed
- Recommended
- Shore / independent
- No
- Boat ride
- ~12 min
- Current
- Mild
- Visibility
- 5–10 m
- Water temp (summer)
- 21–23 °C
- Water temp (winter)
- 17–19 °C
- Water
- Temperate
- Bottom time
- 50 min
- Dive traffic
- Moderate (occasional charters/club dives)
- Night dive
- No
- Snorkel friendly
- Yes
Exposure suit
5–7 mm wetsuit with hood; 7 mm or semi-dry in winter
Location
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park – Warnbro Sound · Perth Metro – South (Shoalwater, Warnbro & Five Fathom Bank)
-32.35500, 115.68167
Approximate position — not for navigation.
Open in Google MapsPrimary source: marinelife.org.auMarine park & permits
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park (DBCA): sanctuary zones are no-take; keep at least 10 m from sea lions; landing and island access rules apply – check the current zoning map.
Nearest recompression chamber
Fiona Stanley Hospital hyperbaric medicine unit (Murdoch, Perth)
Diving emergency: call 000, then DAN AP 1800 088 200.
Trip planner
Build a trip around The Sisters (Warnbro Sound) →
A day-by-day plan for Perth 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
The Sisters (Warnbro Sound) is a reef boat dive in Perth, WA, 2–8 m, suited to Open Water divers, about 12 minutes by boat.
Rated beginner: sheltered, shallow and manageable for a newly certified diver on a normal day, though note boat traffic overhead.
Why dive here
- Easy, shallow limestone reef with ledges and caves in Warnbro Sound, often visited by resident sea lions.
- Snorkel-friendly, so non-diving companions can join at the surface.
About The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)
The Sisters are a group of limestone reefs at the southern end of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park in Warnbro Sound, marked by rocks breaking the surface. The City of Rockingham lists them as a scuba and snorkelling site in 2–6 m, and the Marine Life Network describes a beginner-friendly dive of about 8 m with ledges and caves.
The reef is typical Warnbro Sound limestone: flat tops covered in kelp and red algae, with ledges, small overhangs and caves around the edges and sand between. Many wrasse species, buffalo bream, sweep, herring cale and leatherjackets move over the reef, and rays rest on the sand. Nudibranchs and sponges grow under the ledges. Resident Australian sea lions from the Shoalwater islands often visit divers here, which is one of the site's attractions.
The historic wreck of the Chalmers, a timber barque lost in 1874, lies in 3 m on the Sisters reef system. Little remains beyond a kelp-covered ballast mound and scattered fittings, but it can be visited on the same trip.
With shallow depths, short boat rides and plenty of structure, the Sisters suit newly certified divers and snorkellers from private boats. They are exposed to south-westerly swell, so choose a calm day. As within the rest of the marine park, check sanctuary zone boundaries before fishing, and give sea lions space.
The Sisters make a good combination with the Saxon Ranger or First Rock for a two-dive morning out of Safety Bay, keeping boat runs short and depths moderate. Published information is limited to two sources, so check depths and anchoring spots on the sounder before descending.
Getting there & entry
Limestone reefs marked by protruding rocks at the southern end of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park in Warnbro Sound.
A short boat trip from Rockingham or Safety Bay: launch at the Bent Street (Safety Bay), Carlisle Street, Donald Drive or Port Kennedy ramps. The Sisters lie south of Penguin Island in Warnbro Sound and are marked by rocks breaking the surface. The Marine Life Network advises anchoring on the western side in sand.
The Chalmers wreck lies on the same reef system. Allow 10–15 minutes from Safety Bay.
Entry: Boat; anchor on the western side
Facilities: Bent Street, Carlisle Street, Donald Drive and Port Kennedy boat ramps: parking, toilets at most.
Weather, swell & tides
Warnbro Sound is partly sheltered by the reef chain, but the Sisters are exposed to south-westerly and westerly swell; wait for swell under about 1 m and winds under 15 knots, preferably easterly. The summer sea breeze builds from late morning. Visibility falls after swell or strong winds and is best after several days of easterly weather.
North-westerly winds ahead of winter fronts close the site.
Best season: Calm summer and autumn mornings
If it's blown out
Sheltered or shore sites within 25 km that often work when The Sisters (Warnbro Sound) doesn't.
- Rockingham Wreck Trail · 10 km · Max 18 m
- Kwinana Grain Terminal Jetty · 17 km · Max 15 m
- Penguin Island · 6 km · Max 5 m
- Seal Island (Shoalwater) · 7 km · Max 6 m
How the dive is usually run
Anchor in sand on the western side, descend and follow the reef edge at 5–8 m, exploring the ledges and small caves, then return across the reef top in 2–4 m to the anchor.
Marine life
- Wrasse (many species)
- buffalo bream
- sweep
- herring cale
- leatherjackets
- rays
- nudibranchs →
- sponges
- Australian sea lions →
Linked species have their own page listing every site where they are recorded. All marine life →
Training required
Shallow enough for snorkellers and for a first dive under supervision. Any certified diver can dive it.
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
Exposed to south-westerly swell; breaking water over the rocks; boat traffic in Warnbro Sound; keep 10 m from sea lions.
Dive centres that go here
Occasional trips by Rockingham dive schools and clubs; mostly private boats.
Operators recorded for The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Dolphin Scuba Diving
ProfiledWelshpool · Perth · WA
A Perth business providing training, equipment and service support.
dolphinscuba.com.au · (08) 9353 2488
Bucket List Diver
Named by sitesFremantle · Perth · WA
bucketlistdiver.com · (08) 9200 4447
Other dive centres in Perth
ADRENO Perth
ListedO'Connor · Perth · WA
An equipment retailer with a spearfishing and freediving emphasis. Primarily retail rather than a training centre.
adreno.com.au/pages/contact-us-perth · (08) 6424 8480
Dive Imports
ListedMt Hawthorn · Perth · WA
A Perth equipment business. Retail range, servicing and training availability require verification.
diveimports.com · (08) 9443 1657
Dolphin Dive Fremantle
ListedSouth Fremantle · Perth · WA
A Fremantle operation serving local divers, with proximity to Rottnest Island departures.
dolphindive.com.au
Perth Diving Academy
ListedHillarys · Perth · WA
A Perth training business serving the metropolitan recreational market.
perthdiving.com.au · (08) 9448 6343
Spear West
ListedPerth · WA
A Perth spearfishing and freediving business. This serves a different customer from a conventional scuba centre.
spearwest.com.au · 0411 063 351
UWA Underwater Club
Named by sitesCrawley · Rottnest Island · WA
University of Western Australia dive club (operating since 1968); club, not a shop.
uwauc.org.au
Map
7 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
Satellite views


The Sisters (Warnbro Sound): frequently asked questions
How deep is The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
The Sisters (Warnbro Sound) reaches a maximum depth of 8 m, with the shallowest part at about 2 m; most of the dive is spent around 5 m.
What certification do I need to dive The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
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 The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
No, it is reached by boat (about 12 minutes).
When is the best time to dive The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
Calm summer and autumn mornings.
What marine life will I see at The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
Regularly recorded: Wrasse (many species), buffalo bream, sweep, herring cale, leatherjackets, rays, nudibranchs, sponges, Australian sea lions.
What wetsuit do I need at The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
5–7 mm wetsuit with hood; 7 mm or semi-dry in winter.
How cold is the water at The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
Typically 21–23 °C in summer and 17–19 °C in winter.
What are the main hazards at The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
Exposed to south-westerly swell; breaking water over the rocks; boat traffic in Warnbro Sound; keep 10 m from sea lions. See the hazards section above for the full list.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to The Sisters (Warnbro Sound)?
Fiona Stanley Hospital hyperbaric medicine unit (Murdoch, Perth). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
Diving in Perth
Perth's metropolitan coast from Rockingham to Mindarie has limestone reef ledges, caves and swim-throughs in 5–20 m, the wreck trails at Rockingham and Coogee (Omeo, the Saxon Ranger, the Kwinana Grain Jetty), the Blackwall Reach river dive, and dozens of easy shore entries. Tropical fish arrive on the Leeuwin Current each summer to join the temperate regulars.
Getting there: All within an hour of the city with beach car parks; charters from Fremantle, Hillarys and Mindarie for the offshore reefs.
Sources
- marinelife.org.au/?page_id=183
- rockingham.wa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/events-culture-and-tourism/visiting-rockingham/diving-and-snorkelling-guide
Data confidence: Medium · Being verified: Published GPS format is garbled (S 32 21.300 E 115 40.900); treat as approximate.. Last updated September 2026. Know this site better? How to send a correction
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