Tucked away on the south side of Rottnest Island's narrow neck, Mary Cove is a sheltered gem protected by a network of limestone reefs just offshore. Its crystal-clear, calm turquoise waters reveal vibrant coral formations, swaying seagrass meadows, and rocky outcrops where schools of tropical fish gather. A perfect antidote to busier spots, this small cove offers easy shore access and rewarding swim-throughs for snorkellers of all abilities seeking a peaceful underwater escape.
Mary Cove
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 0.7 knPrecipitation 0.5 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
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Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Limestone reef outcrops
Shallow rocky reef system just offshore — sharp limestone edges can cause cuts if not careful when entering or exiting.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Small boat and ferry traffic passes near the cove entrance — keep an eye out for vessels, especially in summer.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From the main Rottnest Island settlement (Thomson Bay), cycle or walk west along the main sealed road towards the narrow neck of the island. Mary Cove is located on the southern side of the isthmus, easily reached by the marked cycling/walking paths. It's roughly a 15–20 minute bike ride from the ferry terminal.
Parking & facilities
No vehicle parking on Rottnest Island — cars are not permitted. Park bicycles at the nearest bike rack near the trail junction, then walk the short path to the cove.
Access to Mary Cove is free, but visitors must have a valid Rottnest Island entry pass (ferry ticket or accommodation booking includes this).
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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