About this park
Shark Bay Marine Park is valued for its rich and abundant marine life. It’s part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. The stars of the park are the famous Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphins. They attract visitors from all over the world. The reserve also has turtles, dugongs, humpback whales and sharks.
Come to swim, snorkel and canoe in the many bays and inlets. A population of more than 10,000 dugongs thrive in the vast meadows of seagrass. Will you be lucky and spot one? There are so many types of fish, at least 320 species! Look out too, for prawns, scallops, seasnakes and gardens of sponges.
Diving is a popular way to catch the activity and beauty below the waves. More than 80 species of coral live in the reserve. Private dive charters are available and recommended if you don’t have good local knowledge.
Responsible fishing is allowed in areas of Shark Bay Marine Park. See the zone maps in the Shark Bay marine reserves visitor guide and check the size, season and bag limits at Fisheries. Spearfishing (breath hold only) is only permitted in general use zones.
Recreational boating, windsurfing and kitesurfing are also popular activities. So much fun above and below the waterline!
Read more about the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Review - Enjoyed our stay
We loved Shark Bay, the kids enjoyed fishing on the beach, playing on the excellent playground on the foreshore. It’s a great spot and the water is so warm. Highly recommend for a family holiday. Elisa_B - Trip Advisor
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about swimming, fishing, paddling, kayaking, snorkelling and diving. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
Gallery
Showcasing Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Discover the unique beauty and cultural significance of Shark Bay World Heritage Area through an immersive experience on Google Arts & Culture. Dive into breathtaking images and stories that bring this UNESCO World Heritage site to life from anywhere in the world!
Activities
Boating
Canoeing and kayaking
Fishing
Scuba diving
Snorkelling
Swimming
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in Shark Bay Marine Park.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Malgana people as the Traditional Owners of Shark Bay Marine Park.