Dive Site: Navy Pier

About Navy Pier

Navy Pier, situated near Exmouth in Western Australia, stands as a premier shore dive often regarded among the world's best. This operational pier, serving a naval communications base, has transformed its underwater infrastructure into a thriving artificial reef, creating a unique and easily accessible dive experience. It is celebrated as a photographer's paradise, offering an exceptional density and variety of marine life. The dive itself is relatively shallow, reaching a maximum depth of 15 meters. Divers explore the vast network of pylons and submerged structures that provide shelter and habitat for countless species. While some areas might experience a slight surge, especially during entry, the dive generally unfolds in calm conditions, making it an engaging site for exploring the intricate ecosystems beneath the pier. Descents and ascents can be made using a line, simplifying the experience. The pier is a haven for diverse marine creatures, from impressive pelagic species to intricate macro life. You can encounter wobbegong sharks, grey nurse sharks, and white-tip reef sharks, alongside schools of trevally, barracuda, and sweetlips. The pylons are adorned with extensive macro life, including nudibranchs, flatworms, frogfish, scorpionfish, and stonefish, ensuring every dive presents new discoveries. Sea snakes, octopi, and giant groupers are also common sightings. Due to strong currents outside slack tide, dives at Navy Pier are strictly timed, typically occurring at slack water. Entry often involves a giant stride from the pier. Visibility can range from 3 to 10 meters, improving significantly during calm weather. This site is suitable for experienced divers, though its manageable depths and controlled access make it approachable for those comfortable with specific entry procedures and tidal planning. Night dives are highly recommended here.

Dive site facts: Navy Pier

Depth

0–15 m

Current

Slack tide only

Visibility

3–20 m

Water temperature

24–27°C (summer)

Entry

Shore / Giant stride from platform

Level

Advanced recommended

Dive type

Macro, reef, pier, night

Night dive

Recommended

Region / port

Exmouth, Western Australia

Coordinates

-21.8092, 114.1569

Conditions & Currents

Diving at Navy Pier is exclusively permitted during slack tide due to the notoriously strong currents in the area. This necessitates careful planning, as dive times fluctuate daily depending on lunar phases, sometimes allowing for single or double dives. While usually current-free during the designated dive windows, divers must be prepared for the potential of mild surge, especially during entry. The pier's active military status means strict entry and exit procedures are followed, with divers typically entering via a giant stride or ladder from a platform at the pier's end. The currents, though challenging if mistimed, are crucial to the site's rich ecosystem, bringing in nutrients that sustain the dense marine life and contribute to the site's high biodiversity. Visibility can range from 3 to 10 meters, occasionally reaching 20 meters in optimal conditions, but the sheer volume of life

Marine life & sighting chances

Wobbegong Shark

common

Grey Nurse Shark

Winter months · common

Whitetip Reef Shark

occasional

Nudibranch

common

Flatworm

common

Frogfish

common

Scorpionfish

common

Stonefish

occasional

Barracuda

common

Trevally

common

Moray Eel

common

Octopus

common

Giant Grouper

common

Sea Snake

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Navy Pier begin with a shore entry or a giant stride from a lower platform at the end of the pier. You'll descend directly beneath the towering pilings, which are covered in vibrant soft corals and sponges. The dive typically involves exploring the various sections of the T-shaped pier, moving between the central structure and the outer arms. Depth remains relatively shallow, generally between 5 and 15 meters, allowing for extended bottom times. Expect to spend significant time observing the intricate macro life on the pilings and the abundant schools of fish that congregate around the structure. Turn points are flexible, determined by air consumption and desired exploration areas. Safety stops are conducted beneath the pier or near the entry point, maintaining visual contact with the structure before ascending.

Underwater photography

Navy Pier is a photographer's dream, offering an incredible density of subjects for both macro and wide-angle photography. For macro, bring your preferred lens (e.g., 60mm or 100mm) to capture the myriad of nudibranchs, flatworms, frogfish, and shrimp found on the pilings and sandy bottom. Focus on slow, deliberate movements to avoid disturbing critters. For wide-angle, a rectilinear lens is ideal to frame the impressive pier structure and the massive schools of fish, such as barracuda and trevally, swirling between the pilings. External strobes are highly recommended for both, helping to bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and marine life, especially in lower visibility or shaded areas. Be mindful of buoyancy to avoid contact with the fragile ecosystem and practice good etiquette, ensuring you don't stress marine animals for a shot.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Ningaloo Reef - Lighthouse Bay

  Accessible from Exmouth, offering different reef diving experiences.

• Ningaloo Reef - Turquoise Bay

  Famous for drift snorkeling and shallow reef exploration.

• Exmouth Navy Pier - Outer Piles

  Different sections of the same pier with varying marine life concentrations.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Navy Pier is highly restricted due to its location on an active Australian naval base. You must book your dive through a licensed operator, such as Dive Ningaloo, which currently holds the sole license. Divers are typically transported from the operator's office in Exmouth to the pier, a journey of approximately 10-30 minutes. Strict security procedures are in place, requiring photo ID for entry, and photography within the base itself is prohibited. A surcharge is payable on-site to cover the Commonwealth license fee. Dive trips are scheduled around slack tide, meaning dive times vary daily and can include single or double dives. The pier is not accessible to the general public, and independent diving is not permitted.

Safety & environment

Diving at Navy Pier requires adherence to strict safety protocols due to the active military base environment and potentially strong tidal currents. All divers must follow directions from licensed operators and base personnel without question. Ensure you have adequate dive insurance that covers all potential emergencies, including recompression, as the nearest recompression chamber may be several hours away. Emergency evacuation procedures would typically involve transport to Exmouth and potentially further, depending on the severity of the incident. Site-specific hazards include overhead environments, marine life that can sting or bite (e.g., stonefish, lionfish), and the need for excellent buoyancy control to avoid contact with the pier structure and marine life. Always dive with a reputable operator and respect the rules of this unique site.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Navy Pier FAQ

Liveaboards diving Navy Pier

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

Spoilsport

Australia

28 guests30 m

$404/day

Odyssey Liveaboard

Australia

20 guests24 m

$392/day