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Snorkelling, Little Salmon Bay
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Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail

A bucket-list snorkelling experience

Little Salmon Bay provides a sheltered spot for families, and snorkelling enthusiasts, to get acquainted with one of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island’s most popular aquatic experiences.

A series of ten buoys mark out information plaques installed on the seabed, which allow divers and snorkellers to learn more about the unique plants and sea life that surround them under the gentle waves. 

Starting and ending on the white sandy beach, the trail winds its way around Little Salmon Bay in a loop, around 700 metres long in total. Bright, colourful, tropical fish dart in and out of seagrass and limestone rocks. Pink-hued coral dots the seabed here and there. There’s a lot to see when you glide along the trail, so despite the calm waters, allow for around an hour to complete the trail.

Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail
Snorkel Trail
Snorkelling, Little Salmon Bay
Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail
Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail
Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail
Snorkelling, Little Salmon Bay
Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail

Keep an eye out for

Schooling tropical fish

Underwater signage

Pink coral

Western Rock Lobster

Where to find the Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail

 

Located on the south side of the island, Little Salmon Bay is over five kilometres away from the main settlement. It’s a bit long to walk, but makes for a nice 25-minute bike ride. Alternatively, you can take the Quokka Coaches Island Explorer bus and get off at Stop 6.

 

 

Learn more about Snorkelling & Diving

Creating a future for Wadjemup flora and fauna

The Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail is part of the Parker Point Marine Sanctuary. One of five Marine Sanctuary Zones located at different points on Wadjemup’s coast, these are specific areas of the island set aside for conservation. All plant and animal life within this area is protected, which means that no collection of flowers or plant life, or fishing of any kind, is permitted.

These Sanctuary Zones have been put in place to build a thriving underwater ecosystem, and foster a healthy, sustainable undersea environment for generations to come. And it’s already working. Under the waves, you’ll find a diversity of fish and sea life among one of Wadjemup’s most extensive coral reef systems.

So duck beneath the waves, enjoy the calming tides, and do your part to ensure the future of Wadjemup’s natural beauty.

Little Salmon Bay
Little Salmon Bay

Learn the Noongar names

Djildjit
Fish

Maambakoort djooraly
Seagrass meadow

Boya-k maambakoort-koop
Sea coral

Booyi
Turtle

Frequently asked questions

There are no facilities at Little Salmon Bay. But don’t worry, the Parker Point facilities are an easy five-minute walk away — or one minute on the bike.
Little Salmon Bay is part of the Parker Point Marine Sanctuary Zone, so no fishing is permitted.
Little Salmon Bay is an easy bike ride  from Thomson Bay settlement, just a few kilometres. Alternatively, get off at Stop 6 on the Quokka Coaches Island Explorer bus.
Safety in the water
To have the safest experience, always check the weather and tidal conditions before snorkelling and be aware of your abilities in the water.

Tips for time well spent

View all guides & tips
On Tour: Guided Land Activities for All
5 minutes
Golf Course, Rottnest Island
A guide to golfing on Rottnest Island
4 minutes
Samphire Rottnest island
The perfect romantic escape on Rottnest Island
4 minutes
Bathurst Lighthouse Rottnest Island
After dark guide: island activities when the sun goes down
4 minutes
Cathedral Rocks lookout
The top five lookouts on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
5 minutes
Stay a Little Longer: How to make the most of your day trip
4 minutes
Fall in love with the beaches of Rottnest Island
4 minutes
Little Parakeet Bay
Discover the Perfect Gift for the Island Lover in Your Life
5 minutes
Segways WA
Six Rottnest Island experiences for you wish list
3 minutes
Cycling near Little Salmon Bay
Cycle your way around the island
5 minutes
Embrace the Unexpected with an Ocean Adventure this Winter
3 minutes
Winter wonders along the Wadjemup Bidi
6 minutes
Uniquely Winter Wildlife Experiences on Wadjemup
5 minutes
Fishing at Rottnest Island
Your guide to the best fishing spots on Rottnest Island
5 minutes
Parker Point
A perfect three-day escape to Rottnest Island
6 minutes
Mary Cove
The perfect one day adventure on Rottnest Island
6 minutes
Boating
Set Sail with Rottnest Island’s Ultimate Water Adventures 
4 minutes
Lakes
Winter School Holiday Fun for Young Explorers
4 minutes
Rottnest Island summer bucket list: 50 things to do
8 minutes
Eco Express Adventure Boat, Rottnest Island
Seven thrilling experiences on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
5 minutes
Quokkas
Wildlife encounters at Wadjemup
6 minutes
40 Ways to Spend Winter on Wadjemup
5 minutes
What's open: what you can do this festive season
3 minutes
Cycling Trail Adventure: Beaches, a Lighthouse and Lakes
5 minutes
Surfing at Rottnest Island
Your guide to surfing Rottnest Island’s surf breaks
7 minutes
Wind turbine
Running an island, sustainably
5 minutes
The best sunset locations on Rottnest Island
4 minutes
Rottnest Island Bike Riding
Activities the kids will love these school holidays
5 minutes
Pink lakes
Seven things you never knew about Rottnest Island
3 minutes
Your guide to Geordie Bay
6 minutes
Henrietta Rocks
Where to snorkel at Rottnest Island: Six of the best spots 
3 minutes
A guide to walkable delights near the main settlement
6 minutes
A Djeran Day at Rottnest Island
5 minutes
An unforgettable group getaway to Rottnest Island
4 minutes
Winter island nights: where to go and what to do
4 minutes
The Basin
Value-packed Rottnest Island Adventures guaranteed to become priceless memories
3 minutes
9 ways to experience the cooler side of Wadjemup
5 minutes
Your guide to hiking the Wadjemup Bidi
5 minutes
The island ride: cycle the entire island
4 minutes
The Rotto Mini Loop: 4 km of easy, scenic cycling
4 minutes
Wrap Yourself in Wonder this winter
4 minutes
Cycling, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
One day itinerary for little wanderers
4 minutes
Staying cool at Wadjemup in summer 
7 minutes
Rottnest Island Beach
The perfect family escape on Rottnest Island
3 minutes
Reconnect in the Season of Rest
4 minutes
Little Salmon Bay
Your guide to snorkelling the warm waters of Wadjemup
5 minutes
Things to do on a Rainy Island Day
4 minutes
Your guide to the wildflowers of Wadjemup
5 minutes
Your guide to spotting quokkas on Rottnest Island
6 minutes
View all guides & tips

Other activities on the island

Whale
Activity
Whale Watching
Witness these gentle giants in the wild, from land, sea and sky.
Salt Lakes, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
Activity
Lakes & Salt Lakes
Discover lakes, of various sizes, shapes, and colours
The Hike Collective
Activity
Hiking the Wadjemup Bidi
The island story unfolds with every step
Shark wreck at Henrietta Rocks
Activity
Shipwrecks
Explore historic shipwrecks in the surrounding waters
Surfing at Rottnest Island
Activity
Surfing
Chase a blue water high with island surf
Family at Henrietta Rocks
Activity
Beaches
Discover a network of island beaches and bays
Paul's Eco E-Bike Tours, Salmon Bay
Activity
Cycling
Fast, fun, and environmentally friendly travel
Boating West, Rottnest Island
Activity
Boating
Enjoy the freedom of exploring the island waters
Quokka
Activity
Quokka Spotting
Observe the world’s largest quokka population
Fishing, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
Activity
Fishing
From the shores, jetties, and seas of Rottnest Island
Henrietta Rocks
Activity
Snorkelling & Diving
Explore a world beneath the surface