Diving

With a long stretch of coastline and a number of nearby islands, abundant and varied marine life and numerous shipwrecks just offshore, scuba divers won't be disappointed with the excellent diving opportunities all along the Perth coastline.

In a number of locations, for example Marmion Marine Park on the Sunset Coast, you can wade into the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean and within a few metres of the shore you're floating above a reef. Or, join one of the many dive boat operators and dip deeper into the magic of the underwater kingdom.

Mettams Pool, just north of Scarborough, is a calm snorkelling spot within 30 minutes of Perth CBD and is ideal for families and beginners. And, just off the coast, at Rottnest Island, there's a range of undersea adventures - calm bays attract snorkelers, while boats provide access to deeper seas.

The Rottnest Shipwreck Trail tells stories of the 14 shipwrecks found along its coast - information plaques can be seen on the ocean bed.

Just off the coast of Rockingham, 45 minutes south of Perth, the West Coast Dive Park was created by the WA State Government to offer divers a world class scuba diving and snorkelling area. The park already has 10 ships wrecked within it and a number of superb snorkelling sites. In May 2005, the first purpose-sunk ship, the Saxon Ranger joined the existing sites of the Park.

Cavernous reefs, seagrass meadows and even more shipwrecks can be found surrounding the islands of Shoalwater Marine Park, near Rockingham. In this area near Penguin Island, the Caves diving spot is part of a limestone reef ranging in depth of about 9 metres from the surface.