Western Australia · 18 sites
Rowley Shoals dive sites
Three atolls 300 km off Broome, the Rowley Shoals rise from 400 m of water with vertical walls, coral that sees a few hundred divers a year, 50 m visibility and the drift dive through Clerke Reef's channel on the flooding tide. Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse reefs are dived on week-long liveaboards.
- Sites
- 18
- Wrecks
- 0
- Shore
- 0
- Boat
- 18
- Beginner
- 2
- Deepest
- 50 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The season is open: liveaboards out of Broome run 5–7 night trips to Clerke, Imperieuse and Mermaid reefs from late September to November, the only window in the year. 27 °C, 30 m-plus visibility, walls to the abyss.
Getting there
Liveaboard from Broome, roughly 12–14 hours steaming each way.
When to go
September to December, mostly October and November.
Water & suit
Summer 27-30 °C. 3 mm full suit or skin
Nearest chamber: Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – evacuation by vessel to Broome then RFDS; Royal Darwin Hospital is an alternative; many hours from help
Most recorded marine life in Rowley Shoals
- Reef fish 10
- Corals 6
- Sharks 5
- Soft corals 5
- Turtles 4
- Trevally 3
- Anemonefish 2
- Barracuda 2
- Batfish 2
- Bumphead parrotfish 2
- Coral trout 2
- Dogtooth tuna 2
- Fusiliers 2
- Gorgonians 2
Plan a dive trip to Rowley Shoals →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Rowley Shoals
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Rowley Shoals
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 Rowley Shoals plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with the gentler sites while you get used to local conditions and the operator's routine.
- Blue Lagoon (Clerke Reef)Reef · Max 25 m · Advanced Open Water
- Clerke CavesCave/Cavern · Max 12 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Rowley Shoals for.
- The Bommie (Rowley Shoals)Pinnacle/Bommie · Depth not published · Advanced Open Water
- South Park (Clerke Reef)Reef · Depth not published · Advanced Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Rowley Shoals.
- Cod Hole (Mermaid Reef)Reef · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- Imperieuse ReefReef · Max 40 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Dive centres and charters in Rowley Shoals
All Western Australia operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
The Great Escape Charter Company
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Broome · Rowley Shoals · WA
Website live for 2026 advertising 5- and 7-night Rowley Shoals dive and snorkel cruises for the 2026 and 2027 seasons (March–November).
greatescapecruises.com.au · (08) 9193 5983
19 sites
Diversity Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Cable Beach · Rowley Shoals · WA
Liveaboard charter company (Diversity Charter Company) running Rowley Shoals dive trips from Broome.
diversitycharters.com.au · (08) 6102 2758
18 sites
Ocean Dream Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
O'Connor · Rowley Shoals · WA
Luxury Kimberley/Rowley Shoals cruise vessel departing Broome; office in Perth (O'Connor).
oceandreamcharters.com.au · 1300 944 727
18 sites
Odyssey Expeditions
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Broome · Rowley Shoals · WA
Liveaboard MV Odyssey; Rowley Shoals dive trips depart Broome.
odysseyexpeditions.com.au · 0428 382 505
18 sites
True North
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Broome · Rowley Shoals · WA
True North Adventure Cruises (North Star Cruises) luxury expedition vessel; postal address only (PO Box 654, Broome WA 6725).
truenorth.com.au · (08) 9192 1829
18 sites
Map of Rowley Shoals dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 9 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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9 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 18 Rowley Shoals dive sites
All Rowley Shoals sites at a glance
18 sites in Rowley Shoals · click a column to sort
| Blue Lagoon (Clerke Reef) | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Clerke Aquarium | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Clerke Caves | Cave/Cavern | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Clerke Channel Drift | Drift | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Clerke Wall | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Cod Hole (Mermaid Reef) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Cupcakes (Clerke Reef) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 50 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Eel Creek (Clerke Reef) | Muck/Sand | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Imperieuse Reef | Reef | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Jimmy Goes to China | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Mermaid Caves | Cave/Cavern | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Mermaid Wall | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Minis & Mighties (Clerke Reef) | Wall | Max 50 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Plectropoma Pass | Drift | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Sheer Delight (Clerke Reef) | Wall | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| South Park (Clerke Reef) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| The Bat Cave (Clerke Reef) | Wall | Max 50 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| The Bommie (Rowley Shoals) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
Rowley Shoals diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Rowley Shoals?
Liveaboard from Broome, roughly 12–14 hours steaming each way.
When is the best time to dive Rowley Shoals?
September to December, mostly October and November.
How many dive sites are there in Rowley Shoals?
18 documented sites. The deepest reaches 50 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Rowley Shoals?
Yes, 2 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 Rowley Shoals?
Typically 27-30 °C in summer. Most divers wear 3 mm full suit or skin.
Which dive centres operate in Rowley Shoals?
The Great Escape Charter Company, Diversity Charters, Ocean Dream Charters, Odyssey Expeditions, True North are recorded as running sites in Rowley Shoals. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Rowley Shoals?
Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth) – evacuation by vessel to Broome then RFDS; Royal Darwin Hospital is an alternative; many hours from help. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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