Monkey Rock sits along a dramatic fault line at Steep Point, the westernmost tip of mainland Australia on the Shark Bay Marine Park coastline. This renowned dive and snorkel site offers coral-covered walls, cavernous swim-throughs, and deep channels carved by powerful tidal flows. The remote, windswept setting — accessed by rugged 4WD tracks or boat from Denham — rewards those who make the journey with pristine waters, vibrant coral gardens, and encounters with schools of colourful reef fish. It's an adventurous, wild spot where the Indian Ocean meets the edge of a World Heritage Area.
Monkey Rock
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Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 8.2 sWind Speed 5.1 knPrecipitation 0.2 mmTidal Phase ebb
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Monkey Rock has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Strong tidal currents danger
Raging currents often sweep through the fault-line channel, making swimming and diving hazardous, especially during peak tidal flow.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Strong tidal currents
Raging currents often sweep through the fault-line channel, making swimming and diving hazardous, especially during peak tidal flow.
Moderate risk: Large swells and waves
Exposed to Indian Ocean swells, waves can be too large for safe snorkelling or diving entry and exit.
Moderate risk: Remote location
Steep Point is extremely remote with no medical facilities nearby; requires self-sufficient 4WD travel and emergency planning.
Low risk: Cold winter water temps
Despite the Leeuwin Current, winter water temperatures can be quite cool, requiring thicker wetsuits for comfort.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Monkey Rock is located at Steep Point, about 200 km west of Denham via 4WD tracks along Edel Land. A permit is required to enter Steep Point (Edel Land) and can be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife Service. Alternatively, boat tours and dive charters from Denham (Shark Bay Eco Tours) offer guided trips to the site.
Parking & facilities
4WD parking available near campsites at Steep Point; no sealed parking. Vehicles must be high-clearance 4WD — standard cars cannot access the area.
toilets
Park entry and Steep Point permit fees apply (approx. $5-15 per day). Dive charters range from $170-$350 per person.
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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