Things to do

Dirk Hartog Island was the site of the first recorded European landing on Australian soil. Captain Dirk Hartog, who arrived on the 'Eendracht' on October 25, 1616  announced his arrival by nailing an inscribed pewter plate to a wooden post at the site now known as Cape Inscription. A replica of this plate can be seen at the Discovery Centre.

Commercial tour operators offer boat trips to the island.

A car ferry is also available for 4WDs wishing to visit the island.
It is essential for advanced bookings for any of these services.

The pristine condition of the Shark Bay Marine Park offers a perfect location for a multitude of water sports providing some of the best locations, conditions and outcomes anywhere in the world. 

Activities include:

Fishing - the Bay has excellent fishing and good facilities such as boat ramps and cleaning tables. Commercial charter boats operate regularly to take visitors to some of the best spots.

Diving and Snorkelling - there is an abundance of both hard and soft corals in Shark Bay as well as a huge range of marine wildlife. The spearfishing is also world class. 

Whale Watching - Large numbers of humpback whales - mothers and calfs - can be seen migrating through the Shark Bay coastal waters between June and mid October. It is spectacular to watch frolicking and breaching as the travel along the coast.

Shark Bay Dive and Marine Safaris specialise in scuba diving, snorkelling and scenic wildlife tours of Steep Point (the most western point of mainland Australia) and Dirk Hartog Island.

Kite surfing and Wind surfing - Large expanses of crystal clear shallow water and constant sea breezes and very uncrowded beaches make this the place to go. You may have to share the beach with some emus.

Shark Bay is a 4WD paradise with deep sand tracks leading to picturesque locations ideal for fishing, camping or just taking in the beauty.

The main areas involved are Francois Peron National Park, Steep point - the most western point of Western Australia - and Dirk Hartog Island. 

These locations require entry permits and in some cases have restrictions on the number of vehicles permitted at any one time.

Make sure you take an ample supply of water and let someone know where you are headed.

On the Deck Jeep Wrangler

This vehicle has been set up for the sand tracks of Shark Bay is available to any guest staying at he property.

It is equipped with recovery gear and an esky, beach towels allowing guests who have arrived with a 2WD to visit Francois Peron National Park.

This is not a vehicle hire but simply a loan car.

However the use will attract the following fees:

* cleaning              $40.00

* maintenance       $50.00

• insurance            $75.00

* registration          $30.00

Total                     $195.00 per day or $125.00 per half day.

These will be added to your accommodation costs.

Credit card details will also need to be provided to cover the $500.00 insurance excess if required.

Drivers will need to be licenced and meet certain driving skill requirements. This is a manual transmission vehicle.

If you wish to book this fun package email us at deckie@westnet.com.au.

Commercial tour operators also offer half and full day packages to many of these locations. Make sure you book before you arrive as demand often exceeds capacity

Take the opportunity to view other fascinating wildlife like Dugong, Turtles, Sharks and sometimes sea snakes as you cruise the waters of Shark Bay Marine Park. You will also view the fantastic colours of Shark Bay where the desert meets the sea.

You have choice of a morning cruise, leaving after the dolphin feeds, or a sunset cruise just to take in the colours. "Shotover" will give you the sunset cruise for free if you buy a morning cruise and you do not have to take them both on the same day.

Spend a morning at Monkey Mia – take part in the three daily dolphin feeds in the morning, and then choose a marine wildlife cruise, a visit to our famous black pearl farm, go snorkeling, try some fishing or just laze on the beach.  (26km)

Scenic flights in the Shark Bay area are a great way to take in the wondrous colours of the region.

They are available from a short 20 minute flight right up to a full day tour to one of Coral Bay, Dirk Hartog Island, Abrolhos Islands, Kalbarri, Wooleen station and Mount Augustus.

The longer trips save you the hassle of driving, accommodation cost and time, completing what normally would take days can be achieved in a single day. Shark Bay Aviation great service organises everything so you don't have to do a thing including transport to Shark Bay Airport and On the Deck free of charge.

For more information and bookings visit www.sharkbayaviation.com

This beautiful snow-white beach is made up of millions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70 kilometres.

On a still day, the ocean at Shell Beach transforms into a palette of the most intense greens and blues - and the water is very salty (hyper-saline), making it easy to float for those who aren’t strong swimmers.

The shells were once used to build the office walls of buildings in the area, some of which can still be seen today. 

Eagle Bluff is 19 km south of Denham and a short drive off the main road on an unsealed road - easily approached by a regular car. Take a walk on the boardwalk and see an amazing number of marine animals - sharks, rays and turtles with the naked eye, but even better with binoculars. It also offers great views over the bay to Useless Loop, where the large salt stocks are clearly visible. Eagle Bluff is best visited at low tide and when it is not very windy. Combine them with a visit to Shell Beach and Ocean Park for a good half-day excursion.

This natural wonder of Shark Bay, reachable from On the Deck by a dedicated walking trail, is more than just a pretty sight: it was once a land-locked saltpan that was inundated by the sea thousands of years ago, creating an unspoiled body of water that is now home to birds and fish.

Emus often come down to bath in the crystal clear waters on hot days,

The lagoon is well equiped with toilets, sun shelters and free BBQs

Can you imagine this being your town’s local swimming hole?

The Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre is located on the waterfront in Denham.

As an accredited Visitor Centre, they offer a one stop shop of information provided by local experts. Stock up on maps, get some ideas on the best things to see and do or book your tours or accommodation.

The Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre features informative displays covering every aspect of Shark Bay from the maritime history through to the region's World Heritage status.

Enjoy the wonders of Shark Bay through the multi-media displays and exciting exhibitions. Discover Dirk Hartog Island through the eyes of the early explorers. Be inspired by the diversity of fauna and flora, pearling, pastoral, indigenous, fishing, whaling, wilderness, marine wonders and history of World Heritage listing. Showcasing Shark Bay's natural wonders and place in history, the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre is an interactive and educational 'must do" for every visitor to the region.

Ocean Park is an award-winning, eco-friendly aquarium located on the pristine shores of the Shark Bay Marine Park. Whether taking in the wonders of the ocean with a guided tour of the aquarium, enjoying spectacular views from Oceans Restaurant or exploring the Shark Bay World Heritage Area on a 4WD tour, you are sure to find that Ocean Park will deliver an experience unlike any other.