

Clerke Reef sits in the Rowley Shoals, roughly 300 kilometres west of Broome, and delivers some of Western Australia's most dramatic wall diving. You'll descend along near-vertical coral faces that drop from the shallows to 40 metres, with strong currents bringing in pelagic action throughout the dive. The site works well as a drift dive, letting you glide along the wall whilst scanning the blue water for passing sailfish, tuna, and schools of mackerel. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks patrol the deeper sections, whilst giant potato cod cruise the mid-depths with surprising curiosity. Maori wrasse lumber through the reef structure, and sea turtles appear regularly on the shallower sections. Visibility ranges dramatically from near-zero to 50 metres depending on conditions and current strength, so prepare for anything. The caverns along the wall offer shelter from the current and harbour nudibranchs in the quieter pockets. You'll occasionally spot dolphins in the surrounding waters during surface intervals. The strong currents demand solid buoyancy control and drift diving experience. This is boat-only access with charter operations running from Broome during the winter months, typically August through October when conditions are most reliable.
-17.31667, 119.35000
August through October brings the most reliable visibility and the best chance of pelagic encounters, so plan your charter accordingly. Always confirm current direction with your skipper before descending, as the drift can move fast and the deep wall gives you less margin for error than it might appear.
Access is by liveaboard charter boat only, typically departing from Broome, Western Australia. The journey takes approximately 12 hours.
The primary hazard is the strong tidal currents, which require experience to manage. The site is extremely remote, making emergency assistance distant.
Depth
1-40m
Visibility
0-50m
Skill Level
Intermediate
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
28-30°C
Current
Strong
Best Time
Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Yes, Clerke Reef in Islands is a boat-access-only dive site. You will need to book with a local dive operator or charter a boat to reach it.
Clerke Reef in Islands is best suited for divers with some experience. You should be comfortable with your buoyancy and have logged at least 10 to 20 dives.
Diving at Clerke Reef in Islands requires the following certifications: Open Water, Advanced. Always dive within your training limits.
A rashguard or 2mm shorty is recommended for diving at Clerke Reef in Islands. Water temperatures range from 28°C to 30°C.
Clerke Reef in Islands is home to giant_potato_cod, grey_reef_sharks, sea_turtles, whitetip_reef_sharks, nudibranchs, and sailfish. Marine life sightings vary by season and conditions.
The best months to visit Clerke Reef in Islands are August, September, October, November, and December. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Clerke Reef in Islands has depths ranging from 1 metres to 40 metres.
Clerke Reef in Islands is excellent for snorkelling with a rating of 3 out of 5. Shallow areas start from 1 metres, making it accessible for snorkellers.
Clerke Reef in Islands can have strong currents. Advanced experience with drift diving and current navigation is recommended.
Visibility at Clerke Reef in Islands can reach up to 50 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.