Busselton: Jetty Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Sculptures

The jetty has a secret below the surface. This 90-minute tour combines a short boat ride, guided snorkeling, and 13 underwater sculptures at one of Western Australia’s best-known coastal landmarks. I like the unusual setting: the 1.8-kilometre Busselton Jetty is not just a pier, but Australia’s largest artificial reef, with more than 300 marine species living around its timber piles.

I also like the small group of no more than 10 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and get help in the water. Guides such as Meg, Cecilia, and Chelsy have been praised for helping nervous swimmers feel at ease. The main consideration is that this is not suitable for non-swimmers or children under six, and 90 minutes can feel short if you want a long time in the water.

• A short fast-boat ride takes you from the Busselton foreshore to the end of the 1.8-kilometre jetty.
• Thirteen underwater sculptures include mermaid and whale figures along the art trail.
• More than 300 marine species live around the jetty, including fish, sponges, corals, cuttlefish, and octopus.
• Groups are limited to 10 participants, a useful size for instruction and personal help.
• Snorkel gear and a guided tour are included in the $70 price.
• First-time snorkelers can get support, including the use of banana boards mentioned by one family on the tour.

Starting at Swan Dive on the Busselton Foreshore

Your tour begins at the Swan Dive shop, where you meet the guide and collect your snorkeling equipment. Arrive 15 minutes early. That small bit of extra time matters because you will need to get changed, sort out your mask and snorkel, and listen to the opening instructions before heading to the boat.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately around the tour. An underwater camera is also recommended if you want to record the sculptures and marine life, though the information provided does not specify whether cameras are supplied.

The meeting point on the foreshore keeps the beginning simple. You do not need hotel pickup, and transport to the jetty is part of the tour itself. Once your equipment is ready, the guide takes you to the boat.

The Boat Ride to the End of the Jetty

The boat ride is short, but it gives the tour a useful sense of occasion. Instead of walking the full 1.8 kilometres along the jetty, you travel across the water to the far end, where the snorkeling takes place.

This is also a good way to see the Busselton Jetty from a different angle. Its scale is easy to appreciate from the water. The long timber structure reaches far out into Geographe Bay, and its piles create shelter and surfaces where marine life can gather.

The boat is described as fast, so the ride is part of the fun rather than a slow transfer. Still, the main focus is the water session, not a long sightseeing cruise. If you want a full guided tour of the jetty above water, this experience does not promise that.

Your skipper joins the guide for the boat trip. Several recent bookings praised the friendly attitude of the staff, with Meg singled out for making the journey comfortable and explaining the rules clearly. That kind of briefing is especially useful if this is your first time snorkeling.

Snorkeling Around an Artificial Reef

The underwater setting is the real reason to book. Busselton Jetty has been in the water for more than a century, and its timber piles now support a large range of marine life. The tour information lists more than 300 species around the jetty, including colorful fish, corals, and sponges.

You may swim among schools of fish and watch smaller creatures around the structure. Cuttlefish and octopus are possible sightings, though no wildlife encounter can be guaranteed. That is worth keeping in mind: the attraction is the living underwater environment, not a controlled aquarium.

The jetty’s age gives the snorkeling a sense of place. You are not simply looking at fish over a patch of open seabed. You are exploring the area around an old working structure that has become an artificial reef. The piles offer the marine life places to attach, shelter, and feed.

Water conditions and visibility can affect what you see. The supplied information does not provide a fixed depth, water temperature, or minimum swimming distance, so you should ask the operator for current conditions if those details matter to you.

Finding Mermaids, Whales, and Other Sculptures

The underwater sculpture trail adds a clear goal to the snorkeling. Instead of swimming without direction, you have 13 artworks to find, including mermaid and whale sculptures.

These pieces give the tour a playful side, but they also make the experience different from a standard reef outing. You can look for art while watching the natural life around it. Fish, sponges, and corals have inhabited the jetty for decades, while the sculptures create newer points of interest below the surface.

The artwork is best understood as part of the underwater setting rather than a replacement for it. The marine life remains unpredictable, while the sculptures provide landmarks you can expect to see. If you enjoy taking underwater photographs, they should give you strong subjects and a way to remember the route.

You should not touch the sculptures or marine life unless the guide specifically says otherwise. The rules clearly prohibit touching animals. That protects the creatures and keeps the experience respectful.

Help for First-Time Snorkelers

This tour is not reserved for experienced snorkelers. The guides provide equipment and lead the session, and the small group size should make it easier to ask questions or request help.

A family booking showed how the tour can work for younger swimmers who are over the minimum age. Two children, aged seven and nine, enjoyed the experience and used banana boards for extra confidence. That detail is especially useful for parents: the tour can feel approachable, but children still need to be comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions.

Guides Cecilia and Chelsy were praised for helping that family feel safe. Meg was also praised for explaining the rules and keeping the mood upbeat. I would treat those comments as a useful sign about the staff’s approach, not as a promise that every participant will have the same experience.

Non-swimmers should not book this tour. Children under six are not allowed, and the activity involves swimming among the jetty’s marine life. If you are nervous, tell the guide at the start and use the available support equipment. Being honest about your comfort level is more useful than trying to appear experienced.

What the 90-Minute Schedule Means

Ninety minutes is long enough for the boat transfer, safety briefing, equipment setup, and a guided snorkeling session. It is not a full-day marine adventure.

You should expect the experience to move at a steady pace. Time is shared among the group, and the guide needs to keep participants together while pointing out sculptures and marine life. The group limit of 10 helps, but you still will not have unlimited time at each artwork.

That shorter format is useful if you are fitting the tour into a day around Busselton or the wider Margaret River region. It also works well for families who do not want a long outing in the water. On the other hand, experienced snorkelers hoping to spend hours exploring may find the session too brief.

The tour is conducted in English. If you need detailed instruction in another language, this may not be the right choice.

Is $70 Good Value?

At $70 per person, the price covers the guided snorkeling, equipment, boat ride, and access to the underwater sculpture trail. You are paying for more than gear rental because the boat transfer and guide are central parts of the experience.

I think the price is reasonable for a short, organized introduction to Busselton’s marine life. You do not need to arrange a separate boat trip, find the sculpture trail yourself, or bring your own snorkel equipment. The guide also adds reassurance for first-time participants.

The value is strongest if you want a compact activity with several elements: a boat ride, a famous local landmark, wildlife viewing, and underwater art. The value is weaker if you already own equipment and mainly want a long independent swim.

Food, drinks, hotel pickup, and drop-off are not included. Factor in those costs and arrangements before you book. You should also allow time to dry off and change after the tour, especially if you have another activity planned immediately afterward.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this experience to confident beginners, families with children over six who can swim, and visitors who want to see Busselton Jetty from a different angle. The combination of predictable sculpture stops and possible wildlife sightings gives first-timers something to focus on.

It is also a good match for photographers with an underwater camera. The mermaids, whales, fish, corals, and sponges offer more variety than a simple swim beside the jetty.

The tour may not suit you if you cannot swim, dislike being on a fast boat, or want a quiet, independent snorkeling session. It is also not the best choice if you need a long time to become comfortable in the water. The activity is short, guided, and shared with a small group.

Families should pay close attention to swimming ability rather than age alone. The minimum age is six, but that does not mean every six-year-old will be ready. Children need to follow instructions and remain comfortable in open water.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Wear comfortable swimwear from the start and bring a full change of clothes. A towel and sunscreen are essential, and you may want a waterproof bag for personal items, though one is not listed as included.

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start. This gives you time to collect equipment at Swan Dive without rushing the safety briefing.

Use sunscreen before the tour, but follow any instructions the guide gives about products and marine life. Do not touch animals, even if a fish or other creature comes close.

If you are taking a camera, check that it is secure before entering the water. The tour recommends underwater cameras, but it does not state that photography equipment is provided.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you flexibility when your plans are not settled.

Final Verdict: Book It If You Want Art With Your Marine Life

You should book this tour if you want a short, well-organized introduction to Busselton’s underwater side. The 13 sculptures give the outing a clear purpose, while the old jetty piles provide a real marine habitat with fish, sponges, corals, and the chance of seeing cuttlefish or octopus.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the small group, included boat ride, and supportive guides. First-time snorkelers may appreciate the calm help offered by staff such as Meg, Cecilia, and Chelsy. At $70, it offers fair value when you want equipment, instruction, transport, and art in one package.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, want a long snorkeling session, or prefer to explore alone. For everyone else, this is a memorable way to see one of Busselton’s most familiar landmarks from below the waterline.

FAQ

How long is the Busselton Jetty snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes, including the boat ride, guided snorkeling, and viewing of the underwater sculpture trail.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $70 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet the guide at the Swan Dive shop on the Busselton foreshore to collect your snorkeling equipment.

Is the boat ride included?

Yes. The tour includes a boat ride to the end of Busselton Jetty.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included in the tour price.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

What marine life might I see?

You may see schools of fish, corals, sponges, cuttlefish, and octopus. The jetty is home to more than 300 marine species.

How many underwater sculptures are on the trail?

The sculpture trail includes 13 underwater sculptures, including mermaid and whale figures.

Can children and non-swimmers join?

Children under six cannot join, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. Children who meet the age requirement still need to be comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions.