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  1. Home ›
  2. Australia's North West ›
  3. Pilbara ›

Dampier Archipelago Island Reserves

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Island Reserves

The Dampier Archipelago is a chain of 42 coastal islands, islets and rocks, where divers may explore coral reefs, while other visitors swim or relax on the beach.

Essential information for all parks of Australia's North West
Essential information for all parks of Pilbara

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Contact Information

Karratha

Sites & Activities
Phone: 
+61 (0)8 9182 2000
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Opening Information

Open every day.

Park Location

45km radius Dampier.

Park Activities

Diving
Snorkelling
Swimming
Fishing

Park Facilities:

Boat Ramp
Info Shelter

Park Information

Many islands feature steep rock piles, mangroves and sandy beaches that attract people who enjoy snorkelling, diving, boating, fishing, windsurfing, camping and walking. Twenty five of the islands are nature reserves (proposed to become a national park).

Rock art riches

When British explorer William Dampier visited the islands in 1699, people of the Yapurrara language group occupied Murujuga (a proposed national park on the Burrup Peninsula) and Dampier Archipelago. Following European settlement, their numbers declined due to disease, being kidnapped and forced to dive for pearls and massacres. Their amazing rock engravings of turtles, fish, kangaroos and wallabies can still be seen everywhere. Neighbouring language groups have assumed responsibility for the country.

Wildlife haven

Green, loggerhead, flatback and hawksbill turtles nest on the beaches. Dugongs, dolphins and humpback whales are often seen in surrounding waters. Rothschild’s rock-wallabies, northern quolls and water rats thrive on some islands. Migratory waders use the beaches and mangrove flats to feed and rest after long flights from the northern hemisphere.

Recreation areas

The islands have been zoned to provide a balance between conservation and recreation. Some areas are set aside for day trips and camping, while others are sensitive seabird and turtle nesting areas. Please respect these zones.

Diver’s delight

The Dampier Archipelago is the richest area of marine biodiversity known in Western Australia, with coral reefs, sponge gardens, seagrass and more than 650 fish species. The best diving is on the outer islands, such as Delambre, Legendre, Kendrew, Rosemary and Enderby, and on the reefs between them.

The 42 islands lie within a 45km radius of the town of Dampier.

Public boat ramps are located at Dampier, Karratha Back Beach, Johns Creek, Point Samson and Cossack. There are no facilities on the islands.

We recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of Dampier Archipelago.

Sites & Activities

Activities

Facilities

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Flora & Fauna

ALA Integration Page Content

The Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas) contains information on all the known species in Australia aggregated from a wide range of data providers: museums, herbaria, community groups, government departments, individuals and universities.

Sites & Activities
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia page for this area.
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Downloads & Resources
PDF icon Dampier Archipelago Island Reserves information guide (2.48MB)

Dampier Archipelago Management Plan

The Indian Pacific, Tourism Western Australia
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