Dive Site: Clerke Reef

About Clerke Reef

Clerke Reef is one of three remote coral atolls forming the Rowley Shoals, located approximately 260 kilometers west of Broome in Western Australia. Rising from depths of 390 meters, this ancient atoll, named after Captain Clerke, is renowned for its exceptional water clarity and rich biodiversity, boasting over 700 fish species and 230 coral varieties. The diving experience ranges from shallow, protected lagoons ideal for snorkeling and easier dives to exhilarating wall and drift dives along the outer sections. The atoll is characterized by extensive coral formations, including large hard corals, gorgonian fans, plate corals, and soft corals, which create a vibrant underwater landscape. A permanent sandy cay, Bedwell Island, is situated at its northern end. Life at Clerke Reef is profoundly influenced by extreme tides, which create powerful currents through narrow natural channels, making it a prime location for adrenaline-filled drift diving. Despite the strong currents in some areas, the water temperature remains a comfortable 27-28°C. Visibility can often extend up to 50 meters, providing unparalleled views of the intricate reef ecosystem and its diverse inhabitants. Access to this isolated marine reserve is exclusively via liveaboard vessels departing from Broome, making it a truly off-the-beaten-path destination. Dive itineraries typically dedicate several days to exploring Clerke Reef's numerous sites, offering varied experiences for divers of all levels, though some current experience is beneficial.

Dive site facts: Clerke Reef

Depth

10–50 m

Current

Strong (drift dependent)

Visibility

30–50 m

Water temperature

27–28°C

Entry

Live boat / giant stride / backroll

Level

Advanced recommended, current experience helpful

Dive type

Wall, drift, coral gardens

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Western Australia / Rowley Shoals

Coordinates

18.2700° S, 119.5900° E

Conditions & Currents

Diving at Clerke Reef is significantly shaped by the powerful tides characteristic of the Rowley Shoals, which pour in and out of the atolls through natural channels. This creates racing currents, particularly in areas like The Rollercoaster, providing exhilarating drift dives where divers glide past flashing colors and curious animals. Depending on the state of the tide, drifts can range from gentle to swift, demanding good buoyancy control and situational awareness from divers. For these drift dives, an unanchored boat will follow divers, often keying on their bubbles or a surface marker buoy. While some dives, like those inside the lagoon, are calm and protected, divers should be prepared for varying current strengths and be comfortable with boat entries and exits, which often require efficiency due to the drifting vessel. Visibility is consistently excellent, frequently reaching up t

Marine life & sighting chances

Moray eels

common

Grey reef sharks

common

Shrimps

common

Nudibranchs

common

Coral trout

common

Clownfish

common

Humphead parrotfish

common

Maori wrasse

common

Spanish mackerel

common

Giant potato cod

common

Dogtooth tuna

common

Green turtles

common

Pelagic fish

common

White-tip reef sharks

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Clerke Reef typically commence with a giant stride or backroll entry from a liveaboard or tender, often positioning slightly upcurrent for drift dives. For sites like 'Aquarium' or 'Blue Lagoon' inside the protected lagoon, descents are straightforward to shallow depths, often staying around 10-12 meters, allowing divers to explore vibrant coral gardens and abundant reef fish. Outer reef sites, such as 'Jimmy goes to China' or 'The Bat Cave', involve descending along dramatic walls that plunge to 40-50 meters, showcasing impressive gorgonian fans and plate corals. 'The Rollercoaster' offers an exhilarating drift through the Clerke Reef Channel, with divers carried by strong currents past diverse marine life. Safety stops are often conducted in shallower gutters along the reef or as part of a continuous drift, with the boat following and picking up divers once they surface.

Underwater photography

Clerke Reef offers outstanding opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography due to its clear waters and diverse ecosystem. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the expansive coral formations, dramatic walls, and large pelagics, especially during drift dives. The exceptional visibility, often reaching 50 meters, allows for stunning landscape compositions. For macro enthusiasts, there's a wealth of tiny shrimps, nudibranchs, and other small critters hiding among the corals; a macro lens and powerful strobes are essential to highlight their intricate patterns and colors. Due to potential currents, stable buoyancy and quick subject acquisition are key. Always maintain proper distance from marine life and avoid touching the delicate corals.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Milln Reef

  Milln Reef, located approximately 60km offshore from Cairns within the Great Barrier Reef, stands out as a highly favored outer reef…

• Flynn Reef

  Flynn Reef, situated on the Outer Great Barrier Reef approximately 60-80 kilometers offshore from Cairns, is a highly favored dive site…

Getting there & logistics

Access to Clerke Reef is exclusively via multi-day liveaboard expeditions, with vessels typically departing from Broome, Western Australia. While international travelers often fly into Perth, the state capital, and then take a domestic flight to Broome, Australian domestic flights can reach Broome directly. Itineraries to the Rowley Shoals usually last a week or more, dedicating several days to Clerke Reef and often combining it with Mermaid Reef. Due to the very short diving season and high demand, booking liveaboard trips well in advance, sometimes a year ahead, is highly recommended. Tanks and weights are provided onboard, but divers are generally expected to rent any additional equipment from Broome if they don't bring their own. No specific park fees for Clerke Reef are mentioned, but liveaboard costs cover all permits and access.

Safety & environment

Diving at Clerke Reef, particularly the drift dives in strong currents, requires divers to have adequate training and experience, especially with unanchored boat procedures and efficient entries and exits. While the nearest recompression chamber is in Perth, several thousand kilometers away, liveaboard vessels operating in the Rowley Shoals are equipped with emergency oxygen and highly trained dive guides. Divers are strongly advised to hold comprehensive dive insurance that covers remote medical evacuation and hyperbaric treatment. Site-specific hazards include powerful tidal currents, which can necessitate negative entries or rapid descents, and potential encounters with large pelagic species and sharks. Divers should always follow the dive guide's instructions, maintain good buoyancy control, and be comfortable deploying a surface marker buoy.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Clerke Reef FAQ

Liveaboards diving Clerke Reef

These liveaboards may visit Clerke Reef on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Spoilsport

Australia

28 guests30 m

$408/day

Odyssey Liveaboard

Australia

20 guests24 m

$392/day