4 min read Underwater Perth

Day at the beach

Day at the beach
Swimming through the caves of Point Peron.

Bunuru is the best time of year to be at the beach. This is the Noongar season around February and March, with warm morning easterlies and a cool afternoon sea breeze. The water is warm after months of hot days, and the reliable easterlies keep the water clear.

This week's snorkel spot is Cottesloe Beach, with stunning snorkelling just offshore. For the divers, Point Peron is a more adventurous spot, with hundreds of caves to explore - but it's also great for an easy snorkel.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe. Depth 1-5m. Snorkel.
Low swell (less than a metre). Easterly wind.

Cottesloe needs no introduction, it's the most iconic beach in Perth. The gorgeous reef system just off the sand makes it an ideal pre-work snorkel spot. There are three key areas for snorkelling from the main beach: the north reef, just south of the groyne, or inside the shark net.

Schools of pufferfish on the southern Cottesloe reef.

The north reef is your best default. There's a small sheltered lagoon surrounded by shallow limestone reef and seagrass meadows. Here you'll find all the usual Perth sea life - it's very similar to Mettams Pool.

Snorkelling the shallows of north Cottesloe reef

My favourite spot is on the other side of the shark net, just south of the groyne. Large schools of fish congregate around the groyne and in the slightly deeper waters beyond the drop-off. You can follow the reef south for a little way, and then follow it back. Be careful of fish hooks, and the breaking swell on the reef.

Larger schools of fish and stingrays beyond the groyne, to the south of Cottesloe Beach.

While most sea life hangs out on the reef, there is plenty to see inside the shark net. Schools of fish can be seen over the shallow sand, along the rocks, or along the net itself.

After snorkelling, there are a lot of nice cafes to try nearby - a pre-work favourite is a breakfast wrap from Old Buoy under the tearooms. If you go for a sunset snorkel, the pizza place nearby has blankets and hot chocolates.

Point Peron

Rockingham. Depth 1-10m. Dive or snorkel.
Reasonable swell, easterly winds.

Point Peron is a classic of Perth diving and snorkelling. On a calm day, it's a perfect spot for finding creatures and swimming through limestone caves. The other main draw is the larger animals - dolphins are almost always hanging around, and in summer hammerhead sharks school over sandy areas.

A swim-through at Point Peron.

It's hard to give directions for diving here, because everywhere is good. There's a main carpark over a sheltered bay, with lots of reef to explore. Further out are sandy patches and larger caves - take your pick! If you have a mate who wants to stay dry - there are sandy beaches to lay on, and limestone cliffs to wander.

A nudibranch (sea slug) on the shallow reef at Point Peron (left). Searching for bigger creatures on the sandflats (right).

You'll notice it's a very popular dive site, despite being shallow enough to snorkel. Many of the smaller creatures, such as nudibranchs and octopuses are much easier to find when you have your own air! If you're looking to identify what you see, My Critter Compendium is a great site run by local divers, with very reliable and clear information.

Snorkellers, divers, stand-up paddle-boarders, kayakers and beachgoers all happily coexist at Point Peron.

Every Thursday this summer I will be writing about one dive and one snorkel site around Perth.

Next week's theme is: 'Abrolhos Islands'.

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