Mermaid Reef is the northernmost and youngest of the three pristine coral atolls that make up the Rowley Shoals, located 280 km north-west of Broome, Western Australia. Unlike its neighbours Clerke and Imperieuse, Mermaid Reef has no dry land — it is a wholly submerged atoll ring with a shallow turquoise lagoon at its centre and sheer vertical drop-offs plunging to depths of over 500 metres. The reef protects over 200 species of hard coral and more than 530 species of fish, making it one of Australia's finest examples of a continental-shelf atoll. Accessible only by liveaboard cruise from Broome, this remote marine park offers world-class drift snorkelling over vibrant coral gardens and along dramatic reef walls in gin-clear waters.
Rowley Shoals – Mermaid Reef
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.5 mSwell Period 9.2 sWind Speed 5.1 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Rowley Shoals – Mermaid Reef has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Remote location – no emergency services danger
Mermaid Reef is 280 km offshore with no land, no medical facilities, and no cell reception. Evacuation by vessel only.
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Remote location – no emergency services
Mermaid Reef is 280 km offshore with no land, no medical facilities, and no cell reception. Evacuation by vessel only.
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents through gaps
The atoll channels experience powerful tidal flows that can sweep snorkelers away from the reef wall into open ocean.
Moderate risk: Deep drop-offs and vertical walls
Snorkelers can inadvertently drift beyond the reef flat over sheer walls plunging to 500 m, increasing drowning risk.
Low risk: Exposure to open ocean swell
Despite the lagoon's calm interior, the outer reef faces Indian Ocean swells that can create surging conditions and unpredictable waves.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Mermaid Reef is 280 km north-west of Broome, WA. Access is by multi-day liveaboard cruises only, operated by Kimberley Expeditions and True North Adventure Cruises from Broome Port. No day-trip access possible.
Parking & facilities
Long-term vehicle parking available at Broome Port before boarding your liveaboard vessel.
toiletsdrinking_watershowers
Liveaboard cruises: $5,000–$9,000 per person. No park entry fee; moorings bookable via WA Parks and Wildlife.
Spot Map
Community
Gallery ┬╖ 1 photos
Trust
Is this spot real, accurate, still loved?
Spots near Western Australia
No nearby spots yet.
Needs verification
Quick verify
One tap helps the community keep this spot honest.
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