Image courtesy of EMILIA KEER photography

Busselton opened an underwater observatory in 2003, which extends 8m under the sea and gives visitors the opportunity to see the wonders of the ocean without getting wet. Due to technological advances visitors can also enjoy an underwater helmet walk, breathing naturally during the dive with no diving experience required.

This artificial reef is home to over 300 individual marine species including corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. For more information please visit Busselton Jetty . These are the most common fish species to be found in the area: dhu fish, pink snapper and baldchin groper as well as King George whiting, skippy, flathead, tarwhine, salmon, tailor and herring.

The options for exploring Busselton’s underwater features are:

SNORKELING: Different dive companies provide 30min – 1hour snorkeling tours, for those who are not confident enough to snorkel by themselves.

UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY: This is a great opportunity to show children an artificial coral reef in a natural environment. This coral reef exists due to the Leeuwin current, which comes every autumn and winter bringing warm currents to the Western Australian coast.

UNDERWATER HELMET WALK: Enjoy the sea water walk with no diving experience required.

DIVING: The best time for diving is between October to May. Busselton Jetty dive site has water temperatures of 16 to 23 degrees ,a depth range of 5 to 9m and extends over one kilometer.