Department of Environment and Conservation

Nearest town:
Entry fee: AUD $ 0.00
Introduction:

Marmion Marine Park has great natural beauty and is one of Perth's most important areas for aquatic recreation. The clear shallow lagoons, reefs and small islands provide habitats for seabirds, marine mammals and other remarkably diverse marine life. The reefs are a diver's paradise, forming ledges, caves and swimthroughs. They are inhabited by a wonderful array of fish species and colourful invertebrates. Marmion was the State's first marine park, declared on 13 May 1987.

 

One of the park's jewels is undoubtedly Boyinaboat Reef, which lies in a sanctuary (no take) zone in six metres of water at the southern end of a chain of inshore reefs. It is just 75 metres from the sea wall of Hillarys Boat Harbour, and its accessibility and beauty has made it one of the most popular dive sites in Perth. Caverns in the reef provide homes for many fish, including western blue devils, old wives, banded sweep, crested morwong, horseshoe leatherjackets, dusky morwong, truncate coralfish, bullseyes, wrasse and red-striped cardinalfish. The reef top often comes alive with the frantic feeding of large schools of buffalo bream. Blue and orange nudibranchs are common and add to the colour.

 

Offshore from Little Island, sponges, gorgonians, hydroids, sea urchins and sea squirts crowd beneath ledges and into caves, and sea lions laze on the island's beach. The seagrass meadows that grow in sandy areas around the island support a huge range of animals such as baler shells.

If you a looking for a safe place close to Perth to introduce your children to snorkelling, look no further than Mettams Pool. This sheltered pool is a good family spot in which you can see a range of marine plant and animal species close to shore. It is less than two metres deep inside the pool. There is access for the disabled.

North Lump (which lies within a sanctuary zone), Wreck Rock, Cow Rocks and many other submerged reefs within the marine park also entice divers. A historic shipwreck lies in the waters of Marmion, as testimony to days when sailing vessels provided an important lifeline. The Centaur was wrecked on the southernmost section of Marmion Reef in 1874, while en route to Fremantle.

Diving charters operate for most of the year and diving instruction is available. See the Department of Environment and Conservation’s book Dive and Snorkel Sites in Western Australia (available from most dive shops around Perth) for mud maps and further information on these and other suggested dive sites.

Various marine mammal species are common in the park. The bottlenose dolphin can be seen in all areas. Australian sea lions use Little Island as a resting place. Humpback whales swim past Perth during their migration between breeding areas in the north and feeding areas in Antarctic waters and are frequently seen in Marmion Marine Park waters during these times. In winter and early spring, southern right whales sometimes migrate north to the park and may be accompanied by calves. They will approach the shore and create a sensation for shore-based onlookers. Whale watching charters leave from Hillarys marina at the peak of the humpback migration, from September through to November. See our page on whale watching.

Seabirds abound through the park, but the best areas to view them are at Little Island, Burns Rocks, the Trigg Island area and Hillarys Boat Harbour. The beaches are also frequented by birds, including crested and Caspian terns and, of course, the ubiquitous silver gull. Little pied cormorants are often seen in the water or perched, holding their wings out to dry.

Region: Perth
Link to google park map: Whereis.com Map
Where is it?: Marmion Marine Park lies offshore from Perth's northern suburbs, between Trigg Island and Burns Beach.
Travelling time: It is just 20 to 40 minutes drive from the centre of Perth.
Access: Good access to the beach and adjacent parking is available all along West Coast Highway. Boat launching facilities are available at Hillarys Boat Harbour, Ocean Reef Boat Harbour and Mullaloo Point.
Best season: Marmion provides good diving throughout the year, depending on daily weather. In summer, morning dives are best, before the afternoon sea breeze arrives, while calm winter days can offer enjoyable diving conditions. Water temperatures are moderate year round.
What to see and do: Boating, surfing, fishing (outside sanctuary zones), windsurfing and swimming are popular and there are numerous boat ramps. Spearfishing is prohibited within 1800 metres of the shore and for divers using underwater breathing equipment. Whale watching and fishing charters leave from the marina, in season. Diving charters operate for most of the year.

• Boyinaboat Reef
  The stunning Boyinaboat Reef Santuary Zone is just 75 metres from the sea wall of Hillarys Boat Harbour and is one of Perth's most popular dive sites. It is in about six metres of water.
• Mettams Pool
  This sheltered pool is a good family spot ideal for the first time snorkeller or for introducing children to snorkelling. It is less than two metres deep inside the pool. There is access for the disabled.
• North Lump
  This entirely submerged reef in a sanctuary (no take) zone offers a rewarding dive within a small area. It has interesting arches, caves and tunnels and excellent invertebrate life.

Facilities: The marina of Hillarys Boat Harbour has a range of services such as shops and food outlets, as well as fishing and diving supplies. Some beaches are managed by local shires, have picnic and change room facilities and are patrolled by lifeguards. Mettams Pool, a sheltered rock pool, has access for the disabled.
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