Rowley Shoals Cruises: The Rowley Shoals Marine Park protects two reefs that make up a chain of three coral atolls on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world. Lying about 260 kilometres (170 nautical miles) west-north-west offshore from Broome, these atolls are effectively ‘aquariums’ in the middle of the ocean and offer some of the best diving in Australia.

The coral atolls of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park are famed for their almost untouched coral gardens, giant clams and other shellfish. Giant potato cod and Maori wrasse sometimes follow divers around, while colourful reef fish show little fear, and trevally, mackerel and tuna hover in schools.

At least 233 species of coral and 688 species of fish inhabit the shoals—including many species not found on nearshore coral reefs.

Today the shoals rank among the most remote and pristine marine areas in the world. Lying on the very edge of Australia’s continental shelf, they are regarded as the most perfect examples of shelf-edge atolls in Australian waters.