Feature by Ella Liascos

Growing up in Perth, the crystalline secluded bays on our back doorstep at Rottnest Island, served as an instant holiday that always felt much further than a 40-minute ferry from the city centre.

As a local witnessing Perth grow rapidly to a now dynamic city, recognised internationally for music, arts, food and wine, there’s just one thing that hasn’t changed; our access to a pristine natural playground only minutes from town. Whether you plan to snorkel, surf or bush walk, you can explore Rottnest Island in a day, but my tip is to take a few days or more.

_{The Basin}

Swimming Spots

Fish Hook Bay, The Basin, Thomson Bay, Marjarie Bay, Little Parakeet Bay, Pinky's Bay, Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay. You can’t go wrong choosing any one of the 20 beautiful bays on the Island, but with an additional 63 secluded beaches, it’s worth narrowing the options based on whether you want to snorkel, surf or paddle board.

_{Little Salmon Bay}

For Snorkelling

The warm Leeuwin Current that runs through Rottnest means you’ll find green turtles and 135 species of tropical fish compared to 11 on the metropolitan coast, from migratory tuna and marlin, to multi coloured moon wrasse. Fish Hook Bay is uncrowded because accessing it requires rock scrambling or a boat, but it’s renowned as one of the best snorkelling spots on Rottnest. If you prefer to stay near the main settlement, The Basin is 10 minutes away and is protected shallow reefs and gentle swell, making it a perfect beginners snorkelling location. Rottnest’s treacherous limestone reefs have also made it home to 13 shipwrecks, some of which can be explored snorkelling offshore, most conveniently from The Uribes where you’ll find a well preserved wreck on the east end of Thompson Bay. If the water’s choppy, venture instead to The Shark wreck from Henrietta Rocks which tellingly protrudes above the water’s surface just 50 meters offshore, but this one’s best explored by confident swimmers.

_{The Basin}

For Swimming or Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Hire a bicycle and paddle board from The Peddle & Flipper, pack snacks from the general store and head west to the Champagne Pools at Marjarie Bay. Dotted with boats during the summer, choose from many secluded nooks to post up for a picnic. Little Parakeet Bay and Pinky’s are two more relaxed swimming spots with showers available to wash the salt off before venturing back into town, but it’s worth staying for the sunset Pinky’s lighthouse.

_{Marjorie Bay}

For Surfing

The majority of surfing at Rottnest happens on the west part of the island, with Strickland Bay being the most consistent wave that’s a lot of fun when the swell is smaller, but better suited to experienced surfers when it picks up. The Peddle & Flipper also rent surfboards and bike racks to easily access spots like Salmon Bay’s locally termed ‘chicken’s,’ a left hand wave that’s also popular for body boarding.