Destination of the Week: Western Australia

One of my favorite scuba destinations is also one of the most overlooked. Despite offering all sorts of amazing diving for every level of diver Western Australia is still a bit of a secret, often overshadowed by its bigger and more famous cousin, the Great Barrier Reef.

Renowned as one of the best places in the world to see the mammoth of the sea, the Whale Shark, Western Australia offers stunning reef diving at Ningaloo Marine Park - a trip here in whale shark season will almost certainly result in an encounter with the giant fish, not to mention the pristine reef which features every tropical marine creature you could hope for.

Fantastic diving can be found around Rottnest Island, just off the coast of the capital city Perth. With a Mediterranean climate, miles of white sandy beach, crystal clear waters, 13 historical wrecks, 360 species of fish and 20 species of coral, Rottnest Island is a true diver's delight.

Western Australia is also renowned for its wrecks, featuring two fantastic former Navy ships that were deliberately sunk for the benefit of divers. The HMAS Swan can be found in Dunsborough, just 225 kilometers from Perth, while the HMAS Perth can be found 409 kilometers from Perth off the coast of Albany.

One of the best things about diving in Western Australia is that the quality is every bit as good as the Great Barrier Reef without the crowds. I’ve compiled a photo gallery to give you a taste of the underwater world of Western Australia.