Spearfishing the WA South-West: Perth to the Capes
The WA South-West is limestone reef, granite bays and the demersal closure that shapes every trip. It runs from Cottesloe and Trigg through Rockingham, Mandurah, Busselton and Margaret River to Augusta.
Perth's reef is limestone - Mettams Pool, Cottesloe reef and The Slick, Trigg Point - in 1-8 m, and Rockingham adds caves and sheltered corners at Point Peron. South of Bunbury the coast changes: Geographe Bay is calm north-facing granite and seagrass at Meelup, Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay, then the Capes turn it into exposed granite gutters at Cape Clairault, Gas Bay, Cape Freycinet, Cape Leeuwin and Hamelin Bay. The fish are the Leeuwin set: West Australian dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod, western king wrasse, King George whiting, Australian herring, tailor, samsonfish, kingfish and silver trevally (skippy).
The window follows the wind. Perth and Mandurah read a bad sector around 210-330 degrees and dive best on clear easterly-wind mornings; Geographe Bay works when the southerly is up and the Capes need a genuine lull. Summer and early autumn give the warmest water, but this is a coast where the swell forecast, not the month, decides. One rule dominates the target list: the West Coast bioregion demersal scalefish closure - boat-based recreational fishing for demersals is closed until Spring 2027, and demersal scalefish may not be taken by spearfishing during the closure, with land-based spearfishing excepted. Land-based spearfishing for dhufish is not permitted at all.
Rules: DPIRD Fisheries WA. A Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence is required when a powered boat is used; shore diving needs no licence. All inland waters are closed to spearfishing. Spearfishing is generally allowed in ocean waters except in some marine protected areas and around dive wrecks. Spearfishing on compressed air is prohibited in some marine parks. A release weight is not required if the boat is used exclusively for spearfishing. See https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/individuals/recreational-fishing/. Safety, conditionally: our data rates Perth, Bunbury, Margaret River and Augusta high for white sharks, the Capes coast is exposed and remote, and Ngari Capes Marine Park boundaries run within tens of metres of several marks.
Top spots
| Spot | Nearest city | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Woodman Point reefs | Perth (Cottesloe/Trigg) | West of the harbour wall, calcarenite reef lies 100 to 300 m out and… |
| Becher Point | Rockingham / Cockburn | Reef and boulder ground on a headland at Rockingham, 3–7 m. |
| Robert Point | Mandurah | The point is boulder and reef ground wrapped around a headland, 3–7 m,… |
| Mindalong Beach | Bunbury | The ocean end of Bunbury's Back Beach strip, taken 85 m off the… |
| Bunker Bay | Bunbury / Busselton | The inside of a bay at Busselton |
| Cape Clairault | Margaret River (Gracetown) | Reef and boulder ground on a headland at Margaret River, 3–8 m. |
Reserves & no-take zones
- Marmion MP — spearfishing only >=1800 m from mainland HWM (General Use); none in Recreation/Sanctuary Areas — Spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone.
- Shoalwater Islands MP — pointed instrument permitted ONLY in the General Use Area (so banned in Special Purpose zones too) — Spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone.
- Lena wreck — no fishing within 400 m — No-take / spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone.
- Ngari Capes MP — Special Purpose (Shore-Based Activities) Zone: no pointed instrument — Spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone.
Cities in this region
FAQ
Do you need a licence to spearfish in Western Australia?
Only if you fish from a powered boat - that needs a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence (40 AUD). Shore-based spearfishing needs no licence. A release weight is not required if the boat is used exclusively for spearfishing.
What is the demersal closure and does it affect spearos?
Yes. Recreational fishing for demersal scalefish by boat is closed in the West Coast bioregion until Spring 2027, and demersal scalefish may not be taken by spearfishing during the closure - land-based spearfishing is excepted. Land-based spearfishing for West Australian dhufish is not permitted at all.
When does the South-West dive best?
Summer and early autumn for warmth, but the wind decides: Perth and Mandurah read a bad sector of roughly 210-330 degrees and fish best on clear easterly mornings, Geographe Bay works in a southerly, and the Capes need a genuine flat spell.
How bad is the shark risk?
Our data rates Perth, Bunbury, Margaret River and Augusta high for white sharks, with Rockingham, Mandurah and Busselton moderate. The Cape Freycinet card says experienced divers only, high shark risk - take that at face value.
See also: SA Limestone Coast (Bonney) · WA South Coast (Great Southern)