Crayfish Rock - Rottnest Island snorkelling

Crayfish Rock is a small rock at the tip of a rocky point on Rottnest's north coast, just north of Stark Bay. It is marked on island maps and on an older dive guide's island chart, but little has been written about the snorkelling here, so treat it as a place to explore rather than a known highlight.

The name points to western rock lobster - crayfish - which shelter in the island's limestone reefs, and the rocky shore around the point offers ledges and crevices for reef fish and invertebrates. Wrasses, scalyfin, buffalo bream and the occasional wobbegong have been recorded along this stretch of coast.

The rocks make entry awkward, so pick a calm day and take care getting in and out.

• Experience level: Moderate
• Depth: 0.5-3 m
• Access: On the north-west coast between Stark Bay and Ricey Beach; the nearest Island Explorer stops are Stark Bay (Stop 14) and Ricey Beach (Stop 15). Public toilets at Stark Bay (RIA map); nothing at the rock itself. Enter from the small beach beside the rock. The reef is very shallow, so any swell makes it rough going over the rocks.
• Rocky Point
• Rock Lobster Habitat
• Rocky Reef
• Quiet Spot

See live conditions for every Rottnest Island snorkelling spot