An online visitor's guide to Western Australia's parks, reserves and other recreation areas.
Jurien Bay Marine Park 
Sea lion at Jurien Bay Marine Park
Aerial photograph of Boullanger Island
School Holiday Touch Pool at Jurien
Sea lions at Jurien
Pink coral at Seaward Ledge
Western Australian nudibranch
Red coralline algae
Western blue devil
Black-throated threefin
Target Rock Sanctuary Zone
View of Favorite Island
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WA
Introduction:
The Jurien Bay Marine Park, declared in August 2003, protects an important section of Western Australia’s central west coast between Wedge Island and Green Head.
Jurien Bay, from which the marine park derives its name, was named on 1 July, 1801 by the French expedition led by Post Captain Nicolas Baudin in the Géographe. The name honours Charles Marie Vicomte Jurien, 1763-1836, a French naval administrator.
Marine climate
A temperate version of Ningaloo Reef
As well as major sea lion and seabird breeding areas, the marine park contains biological communities, populated with a mix of temperate and tropical plants and animals, courtesy of the Leeuwin Current. Jurien’s offshore areas are like a temperate version of Ningaloo Reef. Numerous colourful corals grow in the area (although they don’t form reefs) and the extensive limestone reefs that contain breathtaking grottos and overhangs are a diver’s delight. These are covered with colourful sponges and sea squirts and surrounded by a diverse variety of fish and other marine life, such as western rock lobsters. Extensive seagrass meadows provide shelter and nursery habitat for these and many other species.
Biological surveys indicate that the park’s marine plant and animal communities are very diverse and include a number of species that are at the limit of their geographical distribution.
The marine park surrounds many magnificent and ecologically important islands.
Current uses
Current uses
Jurien Bay is popular for a wide range of recreational activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, fishing and water sports such as windsurfing and surfing. Some excellent sites for diving and snorkelling in the park are described in a book entitled More Dive and Snorkel Sites in Western Australia.
The Australian sea lion, the world’s rarest species of sea lion, breeds on Buller and North Fisherman islands and uses other islands in the Jurien Bay region as ‘haul out’ sites. Charters from Jurien and Green Head are available to take people out to see the large colonies of these attractive animals. People can usually also see dolphins year round and whales on both their northern and southern migrations. Scuba diving charters are also available from Jurien Bay.
The Jurien Bay area supports excellent recreational fishing opportunities for a number of fish species. Check first with the Fisheries Department (based locally in the Jurien Bay Marina) to find out about bag limits, minimum sizes and any licences that may be needed.
Caring for the marine environment
Effective management of the Jurien Bay Marine Park depends on the support cooperation and participation of local communities and park visitors. Day-to-day management of the park is guided by a ten-year management plan that has been developed by a community-based committee. The plan uses a range of strategies, including the establishment of high protection sanctuary zones and special purpose (scientific reference) zones, public education and participation activities, schools programs and research and monitoring studies. A marine park management advisory committee has been established to ensure ongoing community involvement in the management of the park.
An exquisitely photographed book The Turquoise Coast is packed with information about the Jurien Bay Marine Park and the plant and animal communities that inhabit the park. It is available for only $29.95 from NatureBase Bookshop and from other bookshops throughout WA.
To pick up a detailed park brochure or for more information visit the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) District Office, Bashford St, Jurien Bay, phone (08) 9652 1911.
Jurien Bay Marine Park Management Plan
Where is it?: 200 to 300 kilometres north of Perth by road.
What to see and do: Scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, fishing, boating, windsurfing, surfing. Charters offer sea lion viewing, whale watching (in season) and scuba diving (charters have scuba equipment available for hire. Dive and snorkel sites (see book More Dive and Snorkel Sites in Western Australia for descriptions and mud maps of sites): Boullanger Island Boullanger Island (1-6 metres) is one kilometre offshore from Island Point, at the southern end of Jurien Bay. It is the closest of three islands that afford some great diving and sheltered anchorages. The back of Boullanger Island is a great spot for family groups to go snorkelling. Jurien Town Beach Just 20 metres from the sandy beach the bottom drops off to about 8 metres, where various coral bommies can be found. The area makes a good night dive. Dog's Hind Leg This 10-metre moderate to difficult boat dive in the middle of Jurien Bay features spectacular underwater scenery. Visibility can be low after periods of high swell so keep an eye on weather conditions if planning to do this dive.
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