Great Australian Bight Marine Park (snorkeling/diving areas)

High risk: Powerful Southern Ocean swells

Large, unpredictable swells can create dangerous surge conditions along the exposed cliff-base entry points.

High risk: Strong offshore currents

Rip and longshore currents can quickly sweep swimmers away from entry points into open ocean.

High risk: Remote and isolated location

Hundreds of kilometres from emergency services and medical facilities along the Nullarbor Plain.

High risk: Sheer Cliff Faces

The Bunda Cliffs rise up to 100 m vertically from the ocean, making shore landings dangerous or impossible in most areas.

High risk: Strong Ocean Swells & Currents

Exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean, the area experiences powerful swells, unpredictable currents, and rapidly changing weather.

High risk: Southern Ocean Swell

Powerful open-ocean swells and large breaking waves pound the coastline, creating dangerous surf conditions year-round.

High risk: Steep Cliff Access

Access to the water is via unstable, crumbling limestone cliffs with no formal stairs or lifelines — extreme caution required.

High risk: Strong ocean currents and swell

The Great Australian Bight is exposed to powerful Southern Ocean swells and unpredictable currents that can quickly sweep swimmers away from shore.

High risk: Remote location & limited emergency access

The area is extremely isolated along the Nullarbor — the nearest medical facility is hours away by road, and mobile phone coverage is virtually nonexistent.

High risk: Sheer cliff access

Access to the water is along steep, unstable limestone cliffs (the Bunda Cliffs) with no easy entry points — shore-based snorkeling is extremely hazardous.

Moderate risk: Cold water temperatures

Year-round cold water (12-16°C) risks hypothermia without proper exposure protection.

Moderate risk: Marine Mammal Protection Area restriction

Vessel access prohibited from 1 May to 31 October to protect southern right whale breeding activity.

Moderate risk: Remote & Isolated Access

The nearest infrastructure is at Head of Bight, a 20-min detour off the Eyre Highway across the Nullarbor. No services exist on the water.

Moderate risk: Cold Southern Ocean Waters

Water temperatures are very cold year-round, increasing risk of hypothermia even in summer.

Moderate risk: Marine Mammal Protection Area Closure

All vessels are prohibited from entering the whale sanctuary at the head of the Bight from 1 May to 31 October.

Moderate risk: Strong Rips and Currents

Unpredictable rip currents along the exposed Bight coastline can sweep swimmers offshore rapidly.

Moderate risk: Remote Isolation

The nearest medical facilities are hundreds of kilometres away, with no cell reception across vast stretches. Self-sufficiency is essential.

Moderate risk: Cold Southern Ocean temperatures

Water temperatures rarely exceed 15°C even in summer, posing hypothermia risk without adequate exposure protection.

Moderate risk: Great white shark presence

The Bight is a known habitat for great white sharks, which frequent seal and sea lion colonies along the Bunda Cliffs.

Low risk: Cold Water Temperature

Water temperatures drop as low as 10–12 °C (50–54 °F) in winter, increasing risk of hypothermia even with a wetsuit.