New book Ultimate Dive Sites names the Rowley Shoals in its top 50 dive sites
Anyone who’s dived the Rowley Shoals can testify to its incredible marine biodiversity and pristine waters. Located 260km from Broome (an overnight steam), the Shoals are part of a marine sanctuary, made up of 3 huge coral atolls on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world. Imagine crystal clear waters and tropical sea temps of up to 30 degrees, plus a thriving ecosystem and myriad of marine life.
While they’re still relatively unknown to most of the world, the diving world is slowly catching on. So it’s no wonder they’ve been featured in the upcoming book Ultimate Dive Sites by Todd Thimios, with some text contributed by Melissa Thimios of at the Kimberley Cruise Centre. A keen diver herself, the Rowley Shoals were amongst one of the first places that she ever dived after gaining her SCUBA certification 20 years ago.
Extract from Ultimate Dive Sites
Extract from Ultimate Dive Sites
The following is an extract from Ultimate Dives Sites by Todd Thimios, published by Hardie Grant books, available for sale from 29 January 2025:
Why It’s Special
In a part of Australia that (on the map) looks too remote and arid to be populated, is the resort town of Broome, the Traditional Land of the Yawuru People, who call the area Rubibi. Also known as ‘the port of pearls’, Broome is where my wife grew up. A keen diver herself, Melissa insists that this is Australia’s greatest liveaboard dive spot. Broome serves as the departure point for a handful of local cruise operators, who each set aside two months per year to take divers to this well-kept secret, 260km (161mi) out to sea. After an overnight steam, you’ll wake up to some of the planet’s best wall diving on the edge of three huge, pear-shaped coral atolls known as the Rowley Shoals. Within each of the Shoals – Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse – are glassy lagoons resembling giant aquariums. The water’s warm, the diving is out of this world and it’s likely your boat will be the only one there.
Lady M, as captured by Jampal from Salty Wings
Best time to dive
The small handful of dive operators that visit the Shoals each year do so between the months of September and November a period known as the ‘doldrums’, when the trade winds are light, and the sea is calm. Boats depart from Broome in northwestern Australia and it’s an overnight affair to get there.
Qualification
• Open Water
• Advanced Open Water certification is recommended so that you can do some night dives, and you’ll need to be comfortable diving in strong currents
If you intend just to snorkel and freedive at the Shoals, you won’t miss out, the visibility is out of this world. Just ensure you are freediving with safe practices in mind and never dive alone.
Photography tip
If you’re savvy with a drone, bring one. Aerial photography at the Shoals is incredible and it’s the only way you’ll get to see a bird’s eye view, offering an overall perspective of the places you’re diving.
Ultimate Dive Sites
Grab a copy of Ultimate Dive Sites to find out what the other 49 places are that Todd recommends. Also, the Kimberley Cruise Centre to find out which boats have availability for the year that you're hoping to travel here.