Rowley Shoals Marine Park sits 260 km west of Broome on the edge of Australia's continental shelf — one of the widest in the world. This remote, pristine atoll system features three coral reefs (Mermaid, Clerke, and Imperieuse) encircling shallow turquoise lagoons with exceptional visibility. Snorkellers drift over untouched coral gardens teeming with 233 species of coral and 688 species of fish, including giant potato cod, Maori wrasse, trevally, and mackerel. The park's isolation means it remains one of Australia's most pristine marine environments, offering a true wilderness snorkeling experience accessible only by multi-day charter cruises.
Rowley Shoals Marine Park
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.6 mSwell Period 9.4 sWind Speed 5.0 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Rowley Shoals Marine Park has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Remote location danger
Located 260 km offshore with no immediate medical facilities. Evacuation is hours away. Only accessible by multi-day charter boat.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Remote location
Located 260 km offshore with no immediate medical facilities. Evacuation is hours away. Only accessible by multi-day charter boat.
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
The shoals experience strong tidal movements up to 4 knots through the reef passages, creating high-speed drift conditions. Snorkellers should stay with their group and follow guide instructions.
Moderate risk: Cyclone season
Tropical cyclones can occur from November to April, bringing dangerous sea conditions. Charters typically operate September to December for safest weather.
Low risk: Marine stingers
Box jellyfish and other marine stingers may be present in warmer months (October to April). Protective stinger suits are recommended.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
The Rowley Shoals are located 260 km (162 nautical miles) west of Broome, Western Australia. Access is exclusively by multi-day charter cruises departing from Broome. The boat trip takes approximately 12 hours. Charters typically operate from September to December when sea conditions are most favorable.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the Broome port or charter departure points. Contact your charter operator for specific meeting and parking instructions.
toiletsshowersdrinking_water
No entry fee for the Marine Park, but access requires booking a multi-day charter cruise. Charter costs vary by operator and trip length (typically 3-7 days).
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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