Western Australia Diving

[NickR]

Let me start by saying that you'll love WA!

I haven't dived Busselton Jetty, but I do have a book somewhere at home that provides info about diving on it. I have a feeling that the end of the jetty may be quite a height off the water so it may be difficult to get you and your equipement in the water. Probably easiest to use a boat charter. Check out these shops in the area:

www.baydive.com.au
www.diveshed.com.au
www.capedive.com

I used Bay Dive to dive the Swan wreck (well worth doing if you're in the area). Great bunch of people.

Like Wes says, you don't need to pay $130 for a 2 tank dive in Perth (you probably will in the regional areas though).

Whatever you do, enjoy yourself.

Nick

 

[agd]

Well, we are back from six weeks in WA and we enjoyed our trip immensely from the city life in Perth to the beach life of the northern coast and the hot dry interior mining towns.

Unfortunately I cannot report much on diving, as I decided against lugging gear all over when I was unlikely to dive much at the Australian prices. I did do one day with Exmouth Dive Center for two dives in Lighthouse Bay have no complaints at all. A good, professional outfit with friendly staff and a good operation. Decent diving with the full spectrum of sealife from nudibranches to sharks and turtles.

As no one was able to answer my my question about shore and jetty access to the Busselton jetty diving, here is the answer (if anyone is interested!):

YES; if you wish to lug your gear, there are a couple of stairways and ladders going down to the water from the pier. One is about 300 meters from the end, just where the train lets off its' passengers, and has a stairway down to a carpeted platform that you can stride off, and a ladder you can get back on. You pay $2.50 to access the jetty on foot, or $20 for a train ride and ticket to the underwater viewing site. Train only tickets (used to be $7.50) are no longer sold. Shore entry from the beach appears to be quite popular there also.

Snorkelling in Cape Range and at Coral bay were very good. As Gazzahawke reported, you can find sharks, rays, and every variety of fish you wish!

Cheers, Andy