australianmarineparks.gov.au · Official
Dive Spot Guide•
Rowley Shoals
Remote liveaboard reef complex with coral walls and drift dives.
Local operator required
Most visitors reach Rowley Shoals by commercial charter or liveaboard departing from Broome, and trip logistics depend on offshore weather, moorings and marine park access rules.
This is a boat-only offshore destination where most visitors arrive by charter between spring weather windows for multi-day diving across three coral atolls.
About Rowley Shoals
Rowley Shoals is a remote chain of coral atolls off Broome, with bright lagoons, outer walls, drift channels and reef systems that make it one of Australia's signature liveaboard dive expeditions. Divers can expect hard and soft coral gardens, steep walls, clear blue water and frequent encounters with sharks, rays, turtles, wrasse and dense tropical fish life across Clerke, Imperieuse and Mermaid reefs.
•
Research Estimate At Rowley Shoals
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessDifficult access
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityVery quiet
CurrentStrong current
Where Is Rowley Shoals?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Rowley Shoals Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
Up to 40m
Depth Note
Public operator guidance describes shallow lagoons and wall dives, with many trips capping recreational diving at 40 m.
Best Season
September to December
Typical Conditions
Expect warm, very clear water, reef walls, lagoons and channel dives shaped by large tides and changing current windows.
Safety & Access At Rowley Shoals
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong currentRestricted access
Safety Notes
Strong tidal influence and depths beyond 40 m make this site better suited to experienced divers.
Access Restrictions
Rowley Shoals is a remote offshore, boat-only destination usually visited by multi-day charter or liveaboard trips from Broome.
Legal Notes
Marine park rules apply across the Rowley Shoals. Moorings must be booked in advance, anchoring is heavily restricted, and coral plus all cod, groper and wrasse species are protected.
Local Intel For Rowley Shoals
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Diving ranges from shallow lagoons and coral gardens to wall dives and high-speed drifts, with many operators treating it as an advanced liveaboard destination because current, remoteness and repeated multi-day diving shape the experience.
Snorkeling
Snorkelling is a real part of the Rowley Shoals experience, especially in sheltered lagoons and over shallow coral gardens when operators schedule calm conditions.
Wildlife at Rowley Shoals
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Rowley Shoals
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Rowley Shoals
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.