Roe Reef - Rottnest Island snorkelling

Roe Reef is an offshore limestone reef about 1.5 kilometres north of Bathurst Lighthouse, and as spectacular a dive as any near Perth. It is riddled with grottos, caverns, swim-throughs, holes and ledges, including a narrow canyon, a large cave and a giant limestone arch on its western side, in water around 15 metres deep.

The fish life is outstanding: white-barred boxfish, blue-lined, horseshoe and mosaic leatherjackets, western talma, old wives, western foxfish, moon wrasse, harlequin fish and large schools of Woodward's pomfret, with schools of bronze bullseyes in the caves and western blue devils under the ledges. Large-snouted boarfish and zebra fish live in the big cave, and wobbegong sharks, cuttlefish and rays are also seen. Nudibranchs, sea squirts, sponges and brain coral colonies cover the rock.

The reef is reached by boat and is best on low-swell days, when the water is often clearer than in the bays. Its depth makes it a site for divers and strong freedivers rather than surface snorkellers.

• Experience level: Advanced
• Depth: 12-16 m
• Access: Boat needed: about 1.5 km north of Bathurst Lighthouse; anchor in the sand south-east of the reef (owner's guide). At 12-16 m this is a scuba or freediving site, not a surface snorkel. Exposed to swell and current; best in low swell.
• Offshore Reef
• Grottos & Caverns
• Limestone Arch
• Swim-throughs
• Abundant Fish Life
• Clear Water

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