From pristine bays surrounded by rugged gorges, to beachside camps in charming hamlets, each of these WA islands offers travellers something unique.
Did you know that Western Australia is actually home to more than 3,700 island groups? Meaning it has the highest number of islands in any state or territory of Australia. Check out our favourite spots for marine adventures, and start planning your next ocean-based getaway.
Rottnest Island – for classic, laidback WA island adventures
Located about 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, Rottnest Island is home to 20 stunning bays, 63 idyllic beaches and more than 135 species of tropical fish.
Take a 25-minute ferry from the mainland to arrive at this famous nature reserve, which is best known for its population of adorable quokkas. These furry creatures are found all across the island, and are easiest to spot in the morning or late afternoon, particularly at Garden Lake – which is a five-minute walk from the bus stop.
Other popular activities include swimming, snorkelling in the vibrant reefs, paddleboarding and beach cricket, with all the equipment you need easily hired at Pedal & Flipper Hire.
Rottnest Island is the home of the Noongar people, and its original name of Wadjemup translates to a place where spirits go across the water.
You can learn all about the island’s history, which was also used as a prison for Indigenous men and boys, at the Wadjemup Museum. Or, head to Oliver Hill to explore the maze of underground military tunnels and powerful gun battery used as a defense site in WWII.
There’s no shortage of incredible places to eat and drink on Rottnest Island, and our complete guide can be found here. For family-friendly fare, Frankie’s on Rotto serves delicious sourdough pizzas made in house, and also offers a kids’ menu and playground so you can watch the kids while you enjoy Italian dishes and cocktails.
To stay a little longer, check out Stay Rottnest, which boasts a series of beachfront units, heritage cottages, bungalows and cabins right on the water. The self-contained accommodation options allow you to explore the island like it’s your own backyard and then return home to enjoy the private kitchen, open plan lounge, balcony and ocean views.
Houtman Abrolhos Islands – WA islands like no others in the world
Often described as the Galapagos Islands of the Indian Ocean, the Houtman Abrolhos Islands are a collection of 122 WA islands about 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton.
There are few places in Australia with more biodiversity, and nature enthusiasts often head here for fishing, bird watching, snorkeling and diving. The islands are home to more than 140 species of native flora and fauna, including the Tammar wallaby.
To explore the island, you can join a cruise with Eco Abrolhos Cruises. The five-day journey is the best way to see everything the islands have to offer, with daily activities including fishing, snorkeling, paddling in glass bottom boats, and perhaps even visiting a working pearl farm.
All meals are buffet-style, with fresh crayfish and reef fish caught daily and prepared by experienced chefs. If the weather permits, you can dive into the Batavia shipwreck, which has been on the ocean floor since 1629.
To view the islands from above, Shine Aviation Services provide scenic flights over fishing settlements and all three Abrolhos island groups, before landing on East Wallabi island for the chance to snorkel through clear water (with all gear provided) and enjoy a nature trail. Your qualified pilot acts as a tour guide, with onboard commentary of historic sites, stories of shipwrecks, and the chance to ask any burning questions.
Dirk Hartog – World Heritage wonders
Dirk Hartog Island is Western Australia’s largest and westernmost island, spanning about 80 kilometres. It is located inside a World Heritage area off the Gascoyne coast, and is even the place where Europeans first landed in Australia in 1616.
To explore this iconic spot, jump aboard a tour from Denham with Island Life Adventures, and when you arrive, join a 4WD adventure to the majestic blow holes and stand at the Surf Point Marine Sanctuary to spot sharks, turtles, whales and dolphins.
Enjoy an ocean-to-plate lunch featuring the best local produce, and a tour of the Old Shearing Shed, which operated for over 100 years. Take time to soak up some sun, go kayaking in the sea, or build sandcastles on the beach. Then wrap things up with a Dirk Hartog Island Gin before boarding a boat back to the mainland.
If you want to stay longer on Dirk Hartog Island, there are several comfortable accommodation options to choose from. The Eco Lodge is an all-inclusive experience featuring a rustic, boutique room with an en-suite bathroom, gourmet meals (freshly prepared using local ingredients), Vasse Virgin amenities, and the use of kayaks and standup paddle boards, as well as return transfers from Denham by boat or aircraft.
As part of your escape, you can sign up for activities including Australia’s last sunset sundowner, where you will witness the final place in the country where the sun dips below the horizon on top of a 600 foot cliff face with a drink in hand. Other activities include a flora and fauna 4WD tour, and a tour of the mainland with an experienced guide.
Buccaneer Archipelago & Montgomery Reef – 1,000 WA islands
Located off Western Australia’s coast in the Kimberley region, Buccaneer Archipelago is a remote collection of about 1,000 rugged islands known for their untouched beauty, powerful tides and incredible water experiences. Popular stops include Croc Creek and Silica Beach, where visitors enjoy white quartz sand and tidal swimming areas.
Kimberly Quest operates 4-21 day tours of the area around Broome, which includes a visit to the Buccaneer Archipelago Islands. The tour will stop at Dugong Bay, where you can swim in the freshwater pools, and you’ll also have the chance to explore Talbot Bay, which is home to the only horizontal waterfalls on Earth. This rare phenomenon occurs when massive tidal currents are channeled through two narrow coastal gorges, creating a sideways waterfall that changes direction with the tide.
On board a tender, you will ride through the falls, before taking an excursion to Cyclone Creek where you can view ancient sandstone formations and rocky cliffs from the water.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm also operates a seven day tour, though this one is entirely focused on the Buccaneer Archipelago and its surrounds. Aboard a luxury, custom expedition sailing catamaran, you will depart from Broome to experience nine incredible destinations. Stops include the rainforest and white sand beaches of Dugong Bay, as well as Montgomery Reef and Kingfisher Islands. Along the way, you will enjoy fishing, swimming and hiking.
Montgomery Reef, known as Yowjab by the Dambeemangarddee people, is the world’s largest inshore reef, covering an impressive 300 kilometres. It rests on sandstone and dolomite dating back 1.8 billion years, making it an important historical site.
It’s also home to famous temporary waterfalls, created when extreme tides drop by up to four metres and the remaining trapped water runs off reef platforms through carved channels. As a sanctuary zone, Yowjab offers the highest level of protection for marine wildlife. On a tour, you may come across turtles, dugongs, estuarine crocodiles and birds who call the reef system home.
Mackerel Islands for adventure seekers
Located only 22km off the coast of Onslow, Mackerel Islands are a group of ten islands loved by adventure-seekers of all ages. Think world-renowned fishing, whale watching, diving and snorkelling in clear blue waters.
The main island, Thevenard Island, is home to boutique cabin accommodation with access to extraordinary beachfront experiences. Choose from a range of two, three and five bedroom cabins overlooking the ocean and fitted with a fully-equipped kitchen, private bathrooms and air conditioning. The shared outdoor beachfront area includes barbecues and tables for relaxed dining. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks for the stay, or order from the online store for added convenience.
Guests are encouraged to make use of the free kayaks, or hire snorkeling gear and fishing rods to spend the day on the water. The Island Eco Trail Walk is another popular activity, taking you past beaches and bays on the 12 kilometre route as you keep an eye out for trumpet shells, urchins, and the turtles that carry themselves up the beach each evening to rest and lay eggs.
At the end of the day, hop aboard the complimentary Sunset 4WD Bus Trip, which takes you to the west side of the island so you can watch the sun dip below the horizon as the sky bursts with red, pink and yellow. On the way, your driver will point out the island’s distinctive osprey bird nests. The experience is particularly stunning at low tide, when the reef is exposed in all its beauty. Make sure to bring a drink or two, and prepare to soak in the incredible views.
For fishing lovers, local experts at Innkeeper Sport Fishing Tours run an all-inclusive fishing escape. This world-class experience includes four nights in a three-bedroom beachfront cabin, meal supplies, daily fishing expeditions on a 7.6 metre centre console vessel, expert skippers to support your adventure, and all the premium gear you could want. Fishers can expect to find sailfish, Spanish mackerel, coral trout, red emperor and more, with trips tailored to the season and your preferences.
If you enjoyed reading our feature on WA islands, check out our story on marine experiences in Western Australia
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