If the idea of doing nothing on the beach sounds more like hell than a holiday, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island has a host of adventure activities to get your heart pounding. From captivating underwater explorations to adrenaline-pumping scenic flights, there's something for every thrill-seeking traveller on Rotto.
Discover vibrant marine life, explore underwater caves, ride the waves at reef breaks or experience the ultimate thrill of skydiving. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and natural beauty on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island with these adventurous activities.
In the water
1. Snorkelling
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island’s bays and beaches are teeming with snorkelling opportunities for all levels. The inviting turquoise waters of Rottnest Island are home to an array of vibrant corals and marine life.
For beginners, the island's sheltered bays like the Basin, Mary Cove, and Little Salmon Bay provide calm waters to snorkel just off the beach. Here, you can witness the impressive diversity of the island's marine ecosystems, including around 400 species of fish.
There are 13 shipwrecks laying on the ocean floor surrounding Rottnest Island, including two that can be reached without a boat. Head to Henrietta Rocks to snorkel the wreck of Shark, resting 2.5 metres below the water. The wreck of Uribes, a three-masted wooden schooner lies about 12 metres offshore from Point Phillip.
To explore the colourful world found beneath the waves, all you need is a snorkel, mask and fins. Bring your own or hire them. For a guided snorkelling experience, tours from Rottnest Island take you out by boat to some of the top snorkelling spots around the island.
2. Diving
For more immersive adventures below the surface, Rottnest Island offers remarkable diving. You can explore diverse marine ecosystems, including kelp and seagrass beds, as well as coral reefs. The unique limestone formations create caves and swim-throughs for you to discover. Thanks to the Leeuwin Current, the waters remain warm, with temperatures rarely dropping below 17°C even in winter.
Many diving sites are suitable for beginners, with depths ranging from 15 to 20 meters. Popular spots like Tuna Hut and Crystal Palace are home to colourful Western Rock Lobsters, cuttlefish, rays, and harlequin fish. For experienced divers, the Opera House and Shark Cave provide unforgettable experiences amidst underwater caverns.
3. Surfing
While not as well known for surf as Margaret River, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island offers several reef breaks to rival its famous southern neighbour. Unlike the mainland, the island is home to multiple swell directions. Much of the time there are conditions for clean surfable waves, it’s just a matter of checking the conditions to find where.
Strickland Bay, also known as Stricko's, is the go-to spot for experienced surfers, offering consistent swells. It has both left and right-hand breaks and serves as a location for national surf competitions. Stark Bay is another top location with an exposed reef break, although it requires a tow-in. For beginners, Mary Cove and Chicken Reef offer more forgiving waves to practice your surfing skills.
4. Stand-up paddleboarding
Rottnest Island’s protected bays are not just great for swimming and snorkelling. With its calm waters and picturesque view of the island and settlement, Thomson Bay is the perfect place to head out for a stand-up paddleboard adventure. SUPs are available for hire from Pedal and Flipper or you can bring your own over on the ferry for an additional fee. Whether you hire one or bring your own, be sure to pre-book your SUP to avoid missing out.
On the island
5. Cycling
Given there are nearly no cars on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, getting out on a bike is one of the most popular adventure activities on the island. You can cycle all the way around the island to discover its beaches, salt lakes and historical landmarks. Check out our guide to cycling on Rottnest Island for tips on getting around by bike.
6. Hiking
Famous as a great place for cycling and water sports, Rottnest Island is less known as a destination for trekking. However, the completion of the Wadjemup Bidi series of walking trails in 2018 put Rottnest Island on the map for hikers.
Taking the name Bidi from the Noongar word meaning “track” or “trail”, the series of 5 interconnecting trails cover 45 kilometres of walking paths across the island. The trails are separate from the bus and bike paths, taking you to areas that are inaccessible on wheels.
Most of the routes are only one way, so grab a bus ticket to make your way back. Make sure you pick up a map and bring plenty of water for the journey. Not sure where to start? The Ngank Web Bidi (7.6 kms) is one of our favourite routes, taking you all the way around West End. Read our full guide to hiking on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island for tips and information about all the tracks.
7. Segway Tours
Explore Rottnest Island and learn all about its environment and history with a Segway tour. The two-wheel motorised vehicles can go off-road to explore the island’s picture-perfect beaches, without the hard work needed for a bicycle!
In the air
8. Skydiving
There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. But by far the most thrilling adventure activity you can do is skydiving. Nothing beats the adrenaline-pumping feeling of leaping from a plane at 15,000 ft!
With Skydive Geronimo, you can experience up to 66 seconds of freefall at 200 km p/h with a tandem dive. Start off with a 20-minute scenic flight (if you’re not too nervous to enjoy it!) before taking the leap while securely harnessed to your tandem instructor. After your electrifying freefall, the parachute is released, allowing you to drift down to a beach landing. It’s an experience you will never forget!
9. Scenic flights
Not quite ready for skydiving? You can still admire Rottnest Island from the skies with a scenic flight. Rottnest Air Taxi offers 20-minute scenic flights over the island for an incredible perspective of the beaches, lakes and landmarks of Rottnest Island. You'll have the opportunity to fly high for an overall perspective of the island. Then get a closer look at the top attractions during the second pass.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie or an outdoor lover, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island offers stacks of adventurous activities to get the blood pumping. Start planning your next thrilling trip to Rottnest Island today!
Book your ferry to Rottnest Island and enjoy a day exploring the best of adventure activities on Rottnest Island.
