Rowley Shoals

Rowley Shoals is a chain of three offshore atolls roughly 300km west of Broome. Dive boats visit Clerke and Imperieuse reefs in the state marine park and Mermaid Reef in a Commonwealth park.

Best time
Oct–Nov
Certification
Advanced open water
Budget
$$$ · over $4,000
Trip length
7–8 days
Trip style
Liveaboard
Access
Demanding

The short version

Known forThree remote coral atolls.

Main tradeoffOnly a small number of annual sailings operate.

Rowley Shoals dive region

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Your outlook

Explore 4 dive sites

Browse the map and wildlife below, or add an optional preference to narrow Rowley Shoals.

Most relevant wildlife

  • Potato codOct–Nov
  • Grey reef sharkOct–Nov
  • Hawksbill turtleOct–Nov
  • Giant trevallyOct–Nov

Plan the trip

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4 sites shown.

Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Oct–Nov · Strong current · 25–31°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Best months Operating Closed / no trips
Current
Strong
Water temperature
25–31°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Visibility
20–40m: Operator planning range only; tide and passage flow can reduce local clarity.
Experience
Strong tidal passages, remote blue-water ascents and limited evacuation options favour experienced divers.

01 · Marine life

What you may see

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.

Potato codEpinephelus tukula
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junedestination closed
Julydestination closed
Augustdestination closed
Septemberdestination closed
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Grey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junedestination closed
Julydestination closed
Augustdestination closed
Septemberdestination closed
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junedestination closed
Julydestination closed
Augustdestination closed
Septemberdestination closed
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Giant trevallyCaranx ignobilis
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junedestination closed
Julydestination closed
Augustdestination closed
Septemberdestination closed
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

See all 8 species
Green sea turtleWhitetip reef sharkReef manta raySilvertip shark

02 · Dive sites

Dive sites worth knowing

A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.

01

Clerke Reef Aquarium

Clerke Reef Aquarium: Lagoon coral garden.

5–25m · Mild current

02

Clerke Reef Channel

Clerke Reef Channel: Tidal drift.

8–30m · Extreme current

03

Imperieuse Reef Wall

Imperieuse Reef Wall: Outer-atoll wall.

8–35m · Moderate current

See all 4 dive sites
Mermaid Reef Wall
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsDemanding. Fly to BME. Typical trip $$$.

Route overview

Demanding

Liveaboard only, with a 12h open-ocean crossing to reach the diving.

Airport options

BME

Broome International Airport

Short road transfer to the expedition wharf

Typical trip cost

$$$

over $4,000

Per person, excluding international flights.

  • Published 2026 seven-night cabin prices are AUD 4,990–5,490 before flights and optional extras.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 3 sources and checking notes

Note on the data: Site coordinates are approximate. Visibility and current descriptions are operator-derived. Current reef condition needs trip-level confirmation. Water temperature: Rounded regional surface-water bands; only October and November are normal dive months. Access: Expeditions depart Broome and cross overnight; schedules are fixed rather than daily.