How is the diving at Perth/Freemantle, Australia

[Altamira]

Does anyone have any dive experience or recommendations for Perth/Freemantle, Australia? I am only going to be there for one day about a week after a one day dive on the GBR, so I am trying to decide whether to try to dive at Freemantle or just enjoy a day on the beach. I would suspect anything in Australia after the GBR will be a disappointment, but I have been surprised before with diving that was much better than expected. Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[MA]

I haven't dived Perth so I can't comment but there are many places is Australia better than the GBR or in par! So you're definitely right to ask the question

if you don't get much feedback here there is a WAdivers forum. Try that for local WA knowledge

 

[fbk]

When? it's almost winter here, blowing 30 knots onshore today with a 4-5m swell and pouring rain, there's nowhere diveable. If you happen to get here during a spell of good winter weather and the seas have had a chance to settle down a trip to Rottnest Island would be your best bet. It's no GBR, but air and water temps are around 68F with good vis if it's been calm. You probably won't find a charter going to the island unless it's on a weekend.

 

[Wingy]

Very average.

 

[Altamira]

When? it's almost winter here, blowing 30 knots onshore today with a 4-5m swell and pouring rain, there's nowhere diveable. If you happen to get here during a spell of good winter weather and the seas have had a chance to settle down a trip to Rottnest Island would be your best bet. It's no GBR, but air and water temps are around 68F with good vis if it's been calm. You probably won't find a charter going to the island unless it's on a weekend.

This trip would be in early March 2015. Since the Perth/Freemantle area is also known for surfing, my gut instinct is that the seas are going to be pretty rough, but that may be seasonal like the north shore in Oahu or Maui.

 

[Wingy]

The seas in March wont be anything to worry about. You cant actually dive Perth because its 25km inland - other than the charter boat out to Rottnest island almost all of the diving off Fremantle and the Metropolitan region is shore diving. Its a shame you dont have more time as Ningaloo Reef IMO knocks the GBR into second place and is on the west coast however too far up for one day. You may get the odd rough day in March but nothing that would preclude diving generally. The charter boats out to Rottnest went out every sunday this march. Shore diving options around the metro area would include the Rockingham Wreck Trail and a few other spots im not familiar with as I dont shore dive. WA Divers forum would have a list but as you are only here for a day a Rottnest charter may be your best option. Some reasonable clips on youtube of diving Rottnest, I guess you could have a look and see if its what interests you for around $140 and weigh up if the island diving interests you or if you would better enjoy a day cruising around Fremantle and the beaches.

 

[Altamira]

Thank you for the comments. It sounds like it would be worth giving it a go at Freemantle. I would rather be diving in an average spot than just sitting on a beach. I will try to join a dive charter if one is available or try a couple of shore dives of I can line up a DM as I have never been there and would not be comfortable diving without a guide for the first day to orient me with the local dive environment/hazards, etc.

 

[Wingy]

Theres a group of divers who regularly dive the rockingham wreck trail every thursday night i think - post on wa divers forum and the dive clubs north and south of the river will let you know which days/afternoons they are diving where.

 

[Foxtrot16]

Depends on want to see and do. You can do a day trip to Rottnest Island which costs about $140 for two dives and a BBQ lunch (plus hire gear if required) - there are a couple of charters that do this.

Or you can do shore dives, most of which are to the south of Freo in Cockburn Sound; however, the vis can be very variable.

Some of the sites are:

1. South Mole in Freo - if you dive with the right person and you are lucky you may find a Weedy Sea Dragon

2. Robb's Jetty - can be a good dive part macro part wide angle but you have to walk the 'dune of death' first!!

3. Coogee Rockwalls - new sites that are just developing but can be good for macro and we have found some rare Nudis there in the past

4. Ammo Jetty - a great macro site but let down by poor vis and rubbish left by the fishermen

5. Grain Terminal - a great macro site but again the vis can be variable

6. Rockingham Wreck Trail - used mainly a as a training site there are a couple of planes and boat wrecks, vis can be poor but again if you dive with the right person you can find some very interesting subjects.

We dive there every weekend.

Hope this helps.

Karl