Western Australia · 31 sites
Pilbara & Dampier dive sites
The Dampier Archipelago and the Montebello Islands have coral reefs, WWII and pearling wrecks and turtles in warm, tidal, often turbid water. Onslow is the launch point for the Mackerel Islands and the Montebellos, where the 1950s British nuclear test sites are now a marine park with excellent, remote diving.
- Sites
- 31
- Wrecks
- 6
- Shore
- 3
- Boat
- 28
- Beginner
- 9
- Deepest
- 35 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026April–October is the Pilbara's window and October is its last month: 24 °C, calm mornings, the Dampier Archipelago and Montebello Islands reachable before the summer heat and cyclone season.
Getting there
Fly to Karratha or Onslow; charters and liveaboards when available.
When to go
April to October in the dry season, on neap tides.
Water & suit
Summer 28-30 °C · winter 21-23 °C. 3 mm full suit
Nearest chamber: Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – evacuation via RFDS from Karratha
Most recorded marine life in Pilbara & Dampier
- Turtles 11
- Reef fish 9
- Hard corals 5
- Nudibranchs 4
- Rays 4
- Sponges 4
- Trevally 4
- Anemones 3
- Angelfish 3
- Barracuda 3
- Batfish 3
- Gorgonians 3
- Reef sharks 3
- Stingrays 3
Plan a dive trip to Pilbara & Dampier →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Pilbara & Dampier
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Pilbara & Dampier
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Pilbara & Dampier plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Pilbara & Dampier's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Withnell BayShore/Rock Platform · Max 6 m · Open Water
- Pebbles Beach (King Bay)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 6 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Pilbara & Dampier for, including the main wreck.
- Legendre IslandIsland · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- Enderby IslandIsland · Max 17 m · Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Pilbara & Dampier.
- Samson WrecksWreck · Max 25 m · Advanced Open Water
- Montebello Islands – North West Island Drop-offWall · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Pilbara & Dampier
All Western Australia operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Pilbara Dive and Tours
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Karratha · Pilbara & Dampier · WA
pilbaradiveandtours.com.au · 0410 890 077
26 sites
Lethal Adventures
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Karratha · Pilbara & Dampier · WA
Dampier Archipelago boat tours/charters; postal address only (PO Box 20, Karratha WA 6714).
lethaladventures.au · 0418 906 963
13 sites
Mackerel Islands resort
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Onslow · Pilbara & Dampier · WA
Island resort (Thevenard Island) off Onslow; reservations office is in Cottesloe (1/589 Stirling Hwy), Onslow reception (08) 9184 6586.
mackerelislands.com.au · (08) 9184 6444
11 sites
Montebello Island Safaris
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Exmouth · Pilbara & Dampier · WA
Liveaboard fishing/dive charter out of Exmouth; postal address only (PO Box 388, Exmouth WA 6707).
montebello.com.au · 0419 091 670
5 sites
Map of Pilbara & Dampier dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 9 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
Loading map…
22 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 31 Pilbara & Dampier dive sites
All Pilbara & Dampier sites at a glance
31 sites in Pilbara & Dampier · click a column to sort
| Bare Rock (Dampier) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Barrow Island Marine Park (Biggada Reef & Turtle Bay) | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Bessieres Island | Island | Max 19 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Black Flag | Reef | Max 17 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Brewis Reef | Reef | Max 9 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Crown of England | Wreck | Max 9 m | Wreck specialty recommended | Boat | Expedition |
| Delambre Island | Island | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Direction Island | Island | Max 3 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat | Rare |
| Eddystone | Wreck | Max 8 m | Wreck specialty recommended | Boat | Expedition |
| Enderby Island | Island | Max 17 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Great Australian Bight (Thevenard) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 8 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Greg's Grotto | Reef | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Hamersley Shoal | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| HMAS Plym (Montebello Islands) | Wreck | Max 12 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Kendrew Island | Island | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Legendre Island | Island | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Mermaid Passage (Dampier) | Drift | Max 18 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Montebello Islands – North West Island Drop-off | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Montebello Islands Lagoons | Island | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| No. 20 McDermott Barge | Wreck | Max 5 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Pebbles Beach (King Bay) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Rankin Road | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Rob's Bommie | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 6 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Rosemary Island | Island | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Samson Wrecks | Wreck | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Sultan's Reef | Reef | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Thevenard Island Pier | Jetty/Pier | Max 4 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Trap Reef | Reef | Max 13 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Tryall Wreck (Tryal Rocks) | Wreck | Max 8 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| West Lewis Island | Island | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Withnell Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
Pilbara & Dampier diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Pilbara & Dampier?
Fly to Karratha or Onslow; charters and liveaboards when available.
When is the best time to dive Pilbara & Dampier?
April to October in the dry season, on neap tides.
How many dive sites are there in Pilbara & Dampier?
31 documented sites, including 6 wrecks and 3 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 35 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Pilbara & Dampier?
Yes, 9 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Pilbara & Dampier?
Typically 28-30 °C in summer and 21-23 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full suit.
Which dive centres operate in Pilbara & Dampier?
Pilbara Dive and Tours, Lethal Adventures, Mackerel Islands resort, Montebello Island Safaris are recorded as running sites in Pilbara & Dampier. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Pilbara & Dampier?
Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – evacuation via RFDS from Karratha. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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