Western Australia's coastal and aquatic wonderland

Western Australia offers a diverse and exciting mix of marine and coastal experiences – many of which can't be found anywhere else on earth. The waters off WA's 12,000 kilometre long coastline are regarded as some of the most pristine in the world – and home to a myriad of marine life.

Here's a taste of the State's top aquatic experiences:

• Explore the car-free and care-free aquatic playground of Rottnest Island. On its shores, 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays and many coral reefs invite you to enjoy some of Australia's finest swimming spots, snorkel trails and surf breaks. On dry land, you'll meet the cutest mini marsupial, found only in WA, the world famous quokka, as well as many unique plant and animal species. Rottnest can be reached in a short ferry ride from Perth city, Fremantle or Hillarys.
• Swim with whale sharks and humpback whales at Ningaloo Reef.Without a doubt, swimming with the world's largest fish is one of life's most exhilarating experiences. Ningaloo in the Coral Coast is regarded as one of the best locations in the world to swim with the gentle whale shark - due to the clarity of the water, regularity of the whale sharks and professionalism of the tour operators who depart from Coral Bay and Exmouth during the season (March to July). From June 2016, WA will begin trialing humpback whale swimming tours at Ningaloo Reef after the WA Government granted licenses for a select number of whale shark tour operators to offer the new wilderness experience. Easily accessible from shore, World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is also home to manta rays, sea turtles and dugongs.
• Take a camel ride along world-famous Cable Beach. Broome's Cable Beach is justifiably world famous for its 22 kilometres of sun-kissed white sand, turquoise water and spectacular Indian Ocean sunsets. But what really gives it a top spot on the must-do list is the experience of taking in all its tropical splendour from the seat of a camel train. Further east in the Kimberley, you'll find magnificent gorges and natural swimming pools – the perfect place to refresh after a day hiking outback Australia.
• Be dazzled by one of Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay in Esperance – it's the biggest jewel in a string of stunning beaches along the coast of Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance. The squeaky clean sand, turquoise water, perfect swimming conditions and breathtaking views of the Recherche Archipelago regularly put it at the top of Australia's best beach list. Even the kangaroos can't resist lazing on the sand here.
• Let's go surfing. It's no secret some of the world's best surfers – think Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning - visit WA's shores to catch some of the world's best waves. See local, national and international surfing stars at the annual Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, held in March/April each year, or find a surf school (they operate around the State), grab a board and hang ten.
• See one of the greatest shows on earth. WA hosts one of the longest whale-watching seasons in the world. Each year from June to December, humpback, southern right and rare blue whales call WA's oceans home. Albany, Broome, Exmouth, Perth, Fremantle, Hillarys, Denham, Kalbarri, Geographe Bay and Rottnest Island offer top vantage points and tours. Then, there's Bremer Bay in WA's South West where the Bremer Bay Canyon is attracting hundreds of killer whales each February and March.
• Meet the wildlife. An easy 40 minute drive south of Perth you'll find Penguin Island, part of the Shoalwater Marine Park. Visitors can see and learn more about WA's largest colony of little penguins at the Discovery Centre. The island is also home to many species of seabirds and Australian sea lions. There is also the opportunity for visitors to join a wild dolphin swim tour with Rockingham Wild Encounters. Jurien Bay Marine Park, a three-hour drive north of Perth, is also famous for its sea lions and marine life. In Esperance on WA's south east coast take a cruise to Woody Island and see New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions, white-breasted sea eagles and dolphins.
• Deep Diving. There are hundreds of shipwrecks along WA's coast – in the South West, HMAS Swan at Dunsborough is WA's most famous prepared wreck, while the HMAS Perth, sunk to 36 metres at Albany, is the largest. Also in the South West, Busselton Jetty is one of Australia's greatest artificial reefs - hosting tropical and subtropical coral, sponges, fish and invertebrates. While Exmouth's Navy Pier, in the Coral Coast, is rated as one of the top ten shore dives in the world.
• Secret spots. While nowhere in WA is crowded, there are some very special places which you're likely to have all to yourself. The Rowley Shoals in the North West are ranked amongst the most remote and pristine marine areas in the world – see colourful coral gardens, giant clams and schools of tuna and mackerel. The Abrolhos Islands in the Coral Coast are home to 19 shipwrecks, including the Batavia, and some of the finest diving, snorkelling and fishing in Australia. The clear waters off the Mackerel Islands in the North West offer incredible visibility for snorkellers and divers, and the Montebello-Barrow Islands Marine Park is teaming with wildlife. In the waters off Esperance in the Golden Outback you can snorkel among sea-dragons or advanced divers can tackle the Sanko Harvest shipwreck.