Safety · Destination Guide
Albany and King George Sound
Temperate wrecks, granite islands and Southern Ocean whale country
Safety · Destination Guide
Temperate wrecks, granite islands and Southern Ocean whale country
Albany is a cool-water, weather- and vessel-dependent destination. Plan site selection with an experienced local operator, confirm permits and diver competence, and check changing marine conditions, SharkSmart alerts and beach signs on the actual day. Whale or seal presence does not imply safe swimming or guaranteed encounters. Transport WA | SharkSmart.
A current scuba qualification and experience appropriate to the selected depth, cold water, current, visibility and vessel platform are essential. Cheynes III is recorded in roughly 30 m water; that setting may exceed entry-level certification limits. HMAS Perth ship-zone rules require formal permit arrangements. Do not penetrate wrecks or caves on an ordinary recreational exterior-tour plan. Museum | Government permit.
Watch wind, swell, vessel traffic, variable visibility, tides and thermal stress. Maintain a team and lost-buddy procedure, suitable reserves, controlled ascent and surface marking. Shore snorkeling at Emu Point does not authorize entering the strong-current Oyster Harbour channel. Avoid swimming near working boats and adhere to flags, signposts and closures. Beaches | Transport WA.
WA SharkSmart documented a serious diver incident at Michaelmas Island on 6 June 2026. The report is a historical warning, not independent proof of an ongoing closure. Review current incident map and operator briefings for the particular day. Do not chase sharks, whales, seals or sea dragons. Incident | Current alerts.
Albany Health Campus has a 24-hour emergency department. In an emergency call 000 (or 112 from a mobile where applicable); advise dispatch of a suspected diving injury and follow professional direction. DAN World lists a 24/7 dive emergency consultation line at 1800 088 200 within Australia. Health campus | DAN.
A local hyperbaric recompression chamber was not verified in the reviewed material. Do not assume treatment is within Albany or attempt to self-arrange transport in place of emergency care. Qualified dispatch and diving medicine specialists determine stabilization, oxygen provision and any transfer. For vessel emergencies use VHF channel 16 and relevant emergency beacons per Transport WA guidance. Boating emergencies.
HMAS Perth regulated ship zone
Serious Michaelmas Island diver incident in 2026
WA SharkSmart published a serious diver incident notice for Michaelmas Island on 6 June 2026. This is a genuine historical risk record, not proof of an ongoing closure. Check current shark alerts and operator advice rather than assuming either permanent danger or guaranteed safety. Incident | Alerts.
Unpredictable swell, wind and cold exposure
King George Sound has sheltered pockets and exposed approaches. Route changes, visibility shifts, seasickness, thermal stress and canceled trips are plausible in any month. Check live maritime conditions and the skipper's decision. Transport WA.
Current and unpatrolled shorelines
Visit Albany explicitly warns against swimming in the Emu Point Oyster Harbour channel. Local beaches can have undertows and seasonal or absent patrols. Avoid exposed rocks and never treat calm-looking water as safe. Beaches.
The former HMAS Perth is a managed artificial reef and heritage dive destination. Respect vessel-zone permits, interpretation infrastructure, wreck structure and non-take rules under the City local law. Do not collect objects, touch growth, attach anchors unlawfully or enter restricted spaces. Local law.
WA DBCA Be Seal Wise guidance calls for at least 50 m separation from seals in the water and 100 m when viewing from a vessel, with a recommended 30 m land distance. If wildlife approaches, remain passive and give it an exit route. Whale viewing, whale swimming and seal swims have distinct regulatory requirements; a wildlife sighting is not a license for interaction. DBCA.
Prevent sediment damage and entanglement: maintain buoyancy, do not feed wildlife, remove nothing, minimize sunscreen and litter, and respect Menang Noongar cultural sites and park signs. Follow WA Health water-quality advice after rain. WA Health.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when hmas perth regulated ship zone. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian emergency services | Police, ambulance or fire; urgent emergencies | 000 | 24 hours; mobile 112 alternative subject to signal |
| DAN World diving emergency line (Australia) | Diving medicine emergency consultation; call emergency services first | 1800 088 200 | 24 hours per DAN |
| DAN World international emergency line | International diving emergency consultation backup | +1 919 684 9111 | 24 hours per DAN |
| Albany Health Campus | Local 24-hour emergency department | 000 for emergencies; contact hospital directly for non-emergency matters | Emergency department 24 hours |
| City of Albany | HMAS Perth ship-zone permit and regulatory queries, not emergency dispatch | +61 8 6820 3000 | City business hours; confirm current schedule |
| Marine distress VHF | Emergency marine radio distress channel | VHF channel 16 | Maritime emergency use, subject to radio and reception |