The 8 Best Scuba Diving Spots in Perth

For the advanced divers, if you're looking for something that will get your adrenaline pumping, this is a good one. Grey nurse sharks love to hang out in this area (hence the name). On his last dive here Adreno scuba instructor Chris was greeted by five grey nurse sharks. This site also features a stunning arch/swim-through, starting at 16 meters and dropping to 26 meters at the cave's bottom.

Credit: Jayson Dyer

This is a big cave with maximum depth of 33 meters. There are a few openings in the roof but the right one leads you down a hole into the cave. Once you're in there, on your right there's a sloping wall that looks like a seating area. Further in, a platform juts out like a stage, giving this spot its theatrical name. There is also a chance of seeing grey nurse sharks in this spot. What can we say? They love theatre.

Credit: Dolphin Scuba

Crystal Palace is a labyrinth of small caves that seem endless. Adreno Scuba instructor Chris and his crew are always discovering new openings to swim through. These caves are relatively short, so you won't get lost, but if you're a newbie you might find yourself slightly disoriented. On clear, sunny days, sunlight shines through the openings, giving Crystal Palace its name. Max depth is 18 meters but the caves are mostly around 10 - 14 meter mark.

Credit: Johanna Pool

Swirl Reef is another big cave with enormous schools of baitfish that sparkle above the main entrance. Inside, you'll find crayfish and it's also common to see cuttlefish. Outside the cave there are large "cliffs" and drops to smaller holes and swim throughs. You're likely to see big bull rays here and other big schools of fish. Max depth is around 18 meters.

Credit: EdVenture

North Mole is home to a small shipwreck sitting about 180 meters from shore. It can be a bit tricky to get in and out as you have to climb down/up a rock wall, but it's Chris's favourite shore dive in Perth. As you swim out, keep an eye out for small stingrays and baby Port Jackson sharks. At the wreck, you'll find crayfish, cuttlefish, octopus, wobbegongs, stingrays, nudibranchs, and various schools of fish. You can even swim through the wreck itself. Chris once spotted a grey nurse shark along the rock wall, but don't get your hopes up, it was a rare sighting! The maximum depth here is about 9 meters.

Credit: Patrick Morrison

Ammo Jetty is a small fishing jetty with tons of marine life on the pylons. Some divers are put off by the fish scraps and trash but it attracts lots of life. You'll see seahorses, octopus, crabs, nudibranchs, and sometimes moray eels. The jetty is only about 100 meters long, so take your time to explore every nook and cranny. Night dives here are particularly spectacular, with a maximum depth of around 8 meters.

Credit: Perth Scuba

Sandtracks is a popular surf break by day and a fantastic night dive location. It's one of the few places where you can spot the elusive weedy seadragon, especially at night. Other common sightings include octopus, squid, stingrays, and Port Jackson sharks. If the moon isn't too bright, you might even see bioluminescence if you turn off your torch. This shallow dive averages around 6 meters in depth.

Credit: Vehement Digital Concepts

This is also a very shallow dive site at max depth of 5m but there's plenty to see depending on where you choose to explore. From the parking lot, head straight out to explore a seaweed-filled area where weedy seadragons can be found. This sanctuary zone prohibits catching marine life, so you can't catch anything. To the north past the rocks, you'll find smaller caves and swim-throughs perfect for exploring and crayfishing (outside the sanctuary zone). Divers have reported sightings of dolphins and seals here. During warmer months, this is a hammerhead nursery, so if you're snorkeling or freediving you'll see a few. The sharks tend to avoid scuba bubbles.

Credit: Vehement Digital Concepts