Port Hedland Coastal Reserve hugs the Pilbara coastline, offering fringing reef flats exposed at low tide and calm tidal pools for snorkeling. Located within the world's largest export tonnage port town, the reserve includes Cemetery Beach Park where you can wade out onto the reef platform and observe marine life darting among coral rubble and seagrass patches. The vast tidal range creates ever-changing snorkeling conditions, with the famous Staircase to the Moon illusion visible from nearby Cooke Point during certain months.
Port Hedland Coastal Reserve
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.7 sWind Speed 3.6 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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© KgboDANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Port Hedland Coastal Reserve has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Industrial Vessel Traffic danger
The reserve borders one of the world's busiest bulk-export ports. Large ships and tugboats operate nearby, creating wake hazards.
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Industrial Vessel Traffic
The reserve borders one of the world's busiest bulk-export ports. Large ships and tugboats operate nearby, creating wake hazards.
Moderate risk: Extreme Tidal Range
Port Hedland experiences some of the largest tidal ranges in Western Australia (up to 7m), which can rapidly flood or expose reef flats. Snorkel only on rising tides.
Moderate risk: Strong Tidal Currents
Fast-moving water through the port channels and around reef edges can sweep swimmers away from safe entry points.
Moderate risk: Box Jellyfish (Nov–Apr)
Box jellyfish may be present in warmer months, particularly in calm tidal pools.
Low risk: Sharp Coral/Rock Rubble
The fringing reef flat contains sharp coral fragments and rocky edges; reef shoes are strongly recommended.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Port Hedland Coastal Reserve runs along the foreshore of Port Hedland, approximately 200km north of Karratha via the North West Coastal Highway. The reserve includes Cemetery Beach Park, Cooke Point, and Spoilbank areas, all accessible from the main town. Turn off the Great Northern Highway into Port Hedland and follow Anderson Street toward the coast.
Parking & facilities
Car parking at Cemetery Beach Park, Cooke Point, and Spoilbank Recreation Reserve. Main car park near the boat ramp has shade structures.
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No entry fees. Free public access.
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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