Woody Island's marked snorkel trail offers one of Western Australia's most accessible underwater experiences, perfect if you're new to snorkelling. You can enter directly from shore or take a short boat ride to the trail markers, which guide you through shallow, calm waters over reef sections teeming with life. The mild current makes it easy to navigate while you search for the trail's star attraction: the elusive leafy seadragon, a rare find that camouflages perfectly among the soft corals and sponges. You'll also spot playful fur seals and sea lions that often approach snorkellers, while dolphins occasionally cruise past the outer reef. The reef itself supports colourful residents including red starfish clinging to rocks, friendly gropers, red snappers darting between formations, and vibrant harlequin fish. Visibility varies with conditions, so check locally before heading out. The water stays cold year round, so hire a wetsuit from the on-site facilities if you don't have your own. Watch for sharp coral sections along the trail. With toilets, a cafe, and guided tours available, Woody Island provides everything you need for a comfortable first snorkelling adventure, accessible eight months of the year from October through May.

The Recherche Archipelago is a collection of islands and reefs off the south coast of Western Australia, offering beginner-friendly diving from shore or boat. Depths reach 18 metres at most, making it manageable while you get comfortable underwater. Visibility varies depending on conditions and season, so it pays to check locally before you go. The reefs are home to harlequin fish, blue devils, wrasse, and gropers, while sponges and soft corals add colour to the walls and cavern areas. Australian sea lions occasionally appear, and Leafy Sea Dragons can be found with a patient eye. Currents are variable, so pick a calm day.

Shearwater Bay is a gentle shore dive in shallow, calm waters that suits first-time divers and snorkellers well. The mild current keeps conditions manageable, though visibility can vary from day to day, so check local reports before heading in. The reef attracts a good mix of marine life including harlequin fish, blue devils, wrasse, and red snappers, with gropers occasionally patrolling the bottom. Leafy sea dragons reward patient, slow-moving divers who look carefully through the reef. Sea lions and dolphins appear from time to time. Come prepared for cold water and bring a wetsuit regardless of the season.

Wharton Beach is a gentle shore dive suited to those just starting out. You enter directly from the beach and stay shallow, working your way through reef habitat at 1 to 5 metres depth. Visibility runs between 1 to 5 metres and shifts with conditions, so picking a calm, clear day makes a real difference to your experience. Currents are mild, which keeps things manageable while you get comfortable in the water. The reef supports various local species, giving beginners a genuine taste of Western Australian marine life without the pressure of deeper or more demanding conditions.

Wharton Beach is a shore entry reef dive with a real mix of southern Australian marine life that rewards patient, slow exploration. Depths run from the shallows down to 18 metres, making this manageable for beginners comfortable with gentle currents. Visibility varies considerably depending on conditions, so timing your visit matters. The reef shelters some genuinely special encounters, including weedy and leafy seadragons, Australian giant cuttlefish, blue devil fish, and southern eagle rays. Port Jackson sharks are also regularly spotted resting on the bottom. Sponges and assorted wrasse round out what you can expect to find across the reef.

Little Wharton Beach is a shore entry reef and seagrass site in Western Australia that rewards patient, observant beginners. Depths run from the shallows right down to 18 metres, so you can explore at whatever level you feel comfortable. Visibility here is variable, so conditions can shift considerably between visits. The mild current keeps things manageable. The seagrass beds and reef host some genuinely exciting finds, including leafy seadragons, western blue devils, harlequin fish, and various nudibranchs. Seals, crayfish, sponges, and the unusual soft gingerbread hem star round out what you might encounter. Be aware that sharks are present at this site.

Duke of Orleans Bay is a shore-accessible reef site in Western Australia, well-suited to beginner snorkellers and divers comfortable with calm, shallow conditions. The water is generally mild with light currents, though visibility can vary day to day. Underwater, you can expect to encounter small tropical fish, blue groper, herring, skippy, and squid. Between September and May the bay also sits within the migration corridor for whales, making sightings a genuine possibility. Be mindful of rip currents and breaking waves near the entry point, and choose a calm day for the best experience.

Tanker Jetty is a shore dive built around the structure of an old jetty, which acts as an artificial reef attracting a surprisingly diverse mix of marine life. The site runs from very shallow water down to 12 metres, with visibility typically between 10 and 15 metres, making it easy to see what is around you. Currents are mild, so you can take your time exploring the pylons and sandy bottom. Keep your eyes moving slowly, as leafy sea dragons and weedy sea dragons both appear here, along with cuttlefish, squid, nudibranchs, and flathead resting on the sand. Seals also visit the site, so stay calm and give them space if you encounter one.