The Houtman Abrolhos Islands are an archipelago of 122 coral islands and reefs about 60 kilometres offshore from Geraldton — the southernmost coral reef ecosystem in the Indian Ocean and one of the richest marine environments in Western Australia. The waters are extraordinary: visibility of 20 to 30 metres is common, and the reefs support a diversity of fish, sea lions, dolphins, and seasonal whale sharks that few dive destinations in Australia can match.
The islands are also the site of the 1629 wreck of the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia, which ran aground on Morning Reef before a mutiny and massacre among the survivors left 125 people dead — a story of extraordinary brutality and survival that gripped Europe when news finally reached home. Artefacts from the Batavia are displayed at the WA Museum in Geraldton, and visiting the reef where the ship went down, still marked by cannon, adds a layer of history to the diving.
Day trips and overnight charters depart from Geraldton Harbour. There is no regular ferry service, so you need to join an organised tour or charter. Crayfish season (March through June) coincides with ideal diving conditions and some tours combine both.