Little Island is a tiny limestone-and-sand island rising from Marmion Marine Park, roughly 2 km offshore from Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth's northern suburbs. This protected marine sanctuary zone is a snorkeller's gem, offering clear, sheltered waters between the island and the outer reef to the west. Paddle out by kayak (the most common access), drop a small anchor, and explore vibrant seagrass meadows and limestone ledges teeming with fish. The island itself is off-limits to landing, leaving the surrounding water pristine and undisturbed — expect regular visits from Australian sea lions, dolphins, and in season, humpback whales.
Little Island
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 0.6 knPrecipitation 1.0 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Boat traffic near marina entrance
Ferries and power boats operate out of Hillarys Boat Harbour; kayakers and snorkellers must keep well clear, especially near the marina entrance.
Moderate risk: Onshore afternoon sea breeze
Strong afternoon winds (typically from the south-west) can develop, making the paddle back to shore difficult for inexperienced kayakers.
Low risk: Surf waves on outer reef
Larger swell can produce breaking waves in deeper channels on the outer reef, roughly 200 m west of the island.
Low risk: Marine sanctuary restrictions
Landing on the island is prohibited to protect seabirds and sea lions; fines apply for disturbance or removal of marine life.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Kayak
Entry
From Perth city centre, drive 25 minutes north to Hillarys Boat Harbour. Launch from the accessible kayak platform near the boat ramps, or from the beach on the north side of the marina (free parking there). Paddle north-west for roughly 2 km; Little Island is visible on the horizon.
Parking & facilities
Free parking available on the north side of Hillarys Boat Harbour, plus paid parking within the harbour precinct.
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No fee to access the marine park or launch a kayak. Paid parking options exist in the harbour precinct.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports