Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Picturesque submerged reefs and shipwrecks abound throughout the Rockingham area, less than an hours drive from Perth. Much of the underwater environment is protected in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. As its name suggests, the marine park encompasses not only an incredibly rich and diverse marine environment, but also surrounds a chain of unique limestone islands. These island nature reserves are significant in the ecology of a number of bird species. The park covers an area of approximately 6545 hectares and contains the waters of Shoalwater Bay, Warnbro Sound and a part of Cockburn Sound off Cape Peron.

The islands of Shoalwater Bay abound with seabirds, many of which are seldom seen on the mainland. They are important seabird breeding sites. Sixteen species use the islands for courtship, nesting, feeding and roosting. Little penguins breed in burrows on Penguin Island. There are also breeding colonies within the marine park of silver gulls, fairy terns, bridled terns and Caspian terns. Crested terns are commonly seen, but don't usually breed on the islands.

The cavernous reefs surrounding the islands provide good snorkelling and diving. The reef areas support a variety of temperate and subtropical invertebrates including sea stars, urchins and molluscs as well as a number of fish species. Bottlenose dolphins are extremely common in the park's waters.

A colony of Australian sea lions haul out on Seal Island for most of the year and often fish and swim in nearby waters. The Australian sea lion is the rarest in the world and the species is given special protection under State legislation. Although they are one of our most attractive and interesting sea creatures, sea lions can deliver a nasty bite if aggravated. They are curious and may approach your boat. To avoid disturbing the animals, which are territorial, you are asked not to land on the island.

Extensive areas of the sea floor are dominated by seagrass. These areas are important in the life cycle of many fish, since they provide a nursery habitat for juveniles of an array of fish. The seagrass beds also help stabilise the sandy floor.