Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Scuba diver exploring a sunlit underwater landscape with vibrant hues.
📷 Francisco Davids · Pexels

Gareenup

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.3 12 species 36 contributors

Gareenup offers year-round diving in Perth's Swan River with 12 documented species and no coral stress.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyMacroFocusPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Gareenup location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
18 kn
Wave
3 m
Water
18.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: S (19%)
Now: WNW (293°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.71m

Next: Low at 13:00 (+0.02m)

+0.6 m0 m-0.1 m
▼ 13:00 · +0.02m ▲ 00:00 · +0.37m ▼ 02:00 · +0.36m ▼ 14:00 · -0.09m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.65 · high Air PM2.512 · moderate 06:11 18:11
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.9 3.28 7 3mm
09-20 8.6 1.98 5 2mm
09-21 8.2 1.62 7 0mm
09-22 6.3 1.68 7 0mm
09-23 9.6 1.66 7 0mm
09-24 9.1 1.22 7 0mm
09-25 13.7 1.94 5 2mm

About this spot

Gareenup is a dive site located in the Swan River system near Perth, Western Australia. The site supports a healthy marine ecosystem with no signs of coral bleaching stress, making it a stable destination for exploration. Twelve species observations have been recorded at the location, providing divers with good chances to encounter local marine life. Community videos document dives here, giving prospective visitors insight into what to expect underwater. The spot sits outside a marine protected area, so standard recreational diving access applies. Year-round diving conditions mean you can plan trips at your convenience without worrying about seasonal closures. The Swan River environment offers unique freshwater-influenced diving compared to ocean sites. Local knowledge from the diving community is available through shared video content, which can help first-time visitors prepare.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

ShoreReef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 14500km · ~3335kg · €60

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

Can I dive Gareenup year-round?

Yes, Gareenup is accessible for diving year-round, so you can plan trips based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows.

What marine life might I see?

Twelve species have been documented at Gareenup. Community videos show local marine life, so check those resources for specifics on what you're likely to encounter.

Is the coral healthy?

Gareenup shows no coral bleaching stress, indicating a stable and healthy reef environment.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Gareenup is not inside a marine protected area, so standard recreational diving access applies. Check local Western Australian regulations for any site-specific requirements.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Dive Locker Fremantle

1.5 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-17:00

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

21 records · 17 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Chromodoris westraliensis

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×4records

Portunus armatus

Malacostraca · Portunidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×2records

Hypselodoris saintvincentius

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Bursatella hirsuta

Gastropoda · Aplysiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Anthothoe albocincta

Anthozoa · Sagartiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Trygonorrhina dumerilii

Elasmobranchii · Rhinobatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Clavelina moluccensis

Ascidiacea · Clavelinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Dicathais orbita

Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Guinusia chabrus

Malacostraca · Plagusiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Pinnoctopus d'Orbigny, 1845

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Scaeochlamys livida

Bivalvia · Pectinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Halecium pusillum

Hydrozoa · Haleciidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Jul 2020
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

North Mole + Gareenup Wreck Dive

Anthony + Clare

North Mole dive: Gareenup wreck fail

Casowsky

bald chin grouper gareenup wreck

Australian Marine Life
wind peaks Jan-Dec-Feb, calmest Apr-Jun-May, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jan (100/100) Worst: Mar (0/100) Now: Sep (15/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Ammunition Jetty Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Ammunition Jetty

Ammunition Jetty near Perth offers year-round diving with healthy coral and reliable marine encounters in Western Australia's temperate waters.

Beginner
Wreck Trail Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Wreck Trail

Wreck Trail offers year-round diving on historic wrecks off Western Australia's coast.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Forth Rock Groin Australia Surfing
🇦🇺 Australia

Forth Rock Groin

Forth Rock Groin is a year-round Western Australian surf spot near Meadow Springs with consistent waves and local community support.

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Mawan Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Mawan

Mawan is a year-round dive destination in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara, offering diverse marine life and coral ecosystems to explore.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Aerborek Jetty

Aerborek Jetty is a year-round Raja Ampat dive site offering access to Air Beroi Island's coastal marine life and coral ecosystems in Southwest Papua.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Mangrove Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Mangrove

Mangrove dive site in Indonesia offers year-round diving with unique ecosystem access and moderate coral health concerns.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Way Pretty Shallows Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Way Pretty Shallows

Way Pretty Shallows is a year-round dive site near Yanggelo Island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, with documented marine biodiversity and growing community interest.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →