When you dive beneath the surface on Wadjemup, a whole new world is revealed with some of the most biodiverse marine gardens you’ll find anywhere. Approximately 400 species of fish and 20 species of coral call Rottnest Island home, and snorkelers, divers, and swimmers all have access to these underwater living sanctuaries.
The island’s marine sanctuary zones are in place to protect important marine reserves. It's part of conserving the ocean's biodiversity, as well as preserving the beauty of these underwater parks.
There are five marine sanctuary zones, each one with their own unique character:
As a demersal sanctuary zone, West End is particularly interesting as it protects bottom-dwelling or 'demersal' species of fish. If you’re planning to explore these beautiful underwater sanctuaries, visit our Snorkelling & Diving page to learn how you can minimise your impact while maximising your experience.
Whether it’s from the beach, a jetty or a boat, there’s no shortage of great fishing spots around Rottnest Island. However, fishing can damage marine conservation efforts in some areas.
Take the time to get familiar with our sanctuary maps and the Recreational Fishing Rules for Western Australia before packing the fishing gear, as each marine sanctuary zone has a different set of fishing guidelines.
If you BYOB (bring your own boat), it’s important that you do so safely. That means considering the safety for you, other people, and marine life.
Marine sanctuary zones are particularly sensitive to boats powering through or, even more so, anchoring in the fragile ecosystem.
So, before you take the boat over to Rottnest Island, visit the Rottnest Island Authority website for sanctuary maps and important notices to mariners, and download the current Marine and Boating Guide.
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