Rocky Bay - Rottnest Island snorkelling

A quiet spot for snorkelling over low rock ledges and reef that give way to clear, bright blue shallows. Colourful reef fish are the main attraction, and with luck you may also spot a stingray, an octopus or even a turtle.

Rocky Bay sits on the north side of Narrow Neck, the thin strip of land joining the two halves of Rottnest towards the western end of the island. Rock platforms run above and below the waterline, and the seabed is a patchwork of reef and sand, with small corals growing among the rock.

The bay faces north, so it is sheltered from southerly winds, with white sand and tall dunes behind a long beach. It is also a popular anchorage in calm weather, so keep a lookout for boats.

• Experience level: Easy
• Depth: 1-4 m
• Access: Island Explorer Stop 13 (Narrow Neck / Rocky Bay), then a short path down to the beach; about 7-8 km, 35-45 minutes by bike, from Thomson Bay. Public toilets at Narrow Neck (RIA); the nearest accessible toilets are at Stark Bay and West End. A popular anchorage in calm weather - stay close to shore and watch for boats. North-facing: sheltered from southerlies, exposed to northerlies.
• Secluded Location
• Rock Formations
• Clear Blue Shallows
• Small Coral Colonies
• Summer Anchorage

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