Rottnest Island, WA

Car-free island paradise 19km offshore — 63 beaches, crystal-clear snorkelling bays, and the famous quokka selfie.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Saturday 11 July is shaping up to be a beautiful day here on our stunning coast, with a sunny forecast and plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The current temperature is a pleasant 15C, with a gentle breeze blowing in from the east-southeast at 13 km/h. With 24% cloud cover, it's mostly clear skies and a great day to soak up some sunshine.



Out in the ocean, the wave height is currently sitting at 1.84m, making it a great day for experienced surfers to catch some powerful waves. The water temperature is a comfortable 20.0C, so you may want to consider wearing a spring suit or rashie to protect yourself from the elements. With high tide at 06:18 am and low tide at 04:17 pm, there's plenty of time to get out and enjoy the beach or try your hand at some water sports.



For all you sports and fitness enthusiasts out there, today is a great day to get out and enjoy your favourite activities. Surfers will love the overhead waves, while runners and cyclists will appreciate the gentle breeze and sunny conditions. Anglers can try their luck in the crystal-clear waters, and paddleboarders can explore the many beautiful bays and beaches on offer. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone to enjoy.



As we head into the afternoon, the Fremantle Doctor is expected to kick in, bringing with it a refreshing sea breeze to cool things down. With a maximum temperature of 31C expected, it's going to be a warm one, so don't forget to slip, slop, slap, and seek some shade when you need to. All in all, it's shaping up to be a fantastic day here on our beautiful coast, so get out and make the most of it – and we'll see you back here tomorrow with another update.

About This Coastline

Rottnest Island, known as Wadjemup, is a low-lying island off Perth with dozens of beaches and bays, coral reefs, limestone headlands and a largely car-free road network.

It functions as both a destination and an everyday coastal environment, with its identity renewed through repeated local use.

The Vibe

The pace is active but unhurried, centred on cycling, walking, swimming and snorkelling.

Day visitors gather near the main settlement, while quieter coves quickly create a stronger sense of isolation. Even at its busiest, the atmosphere is grounded by familiar routines: walking, swimming, checking the surf and gathering near the water.

The Local Anchor

The quokka is the island’s most famous natural symbol, but Wadjemup’s Aboriginal history is equally important and includes its painful use as a prison for Aboriginal men.

The Wadjemup Museum and cultural tours provide essential context beyond the holiday image. The anchor is important because it links the visible landscape to a longer account of culture, work and public life.

The Landscape

The island’s many orientations create both sheltered turquoise bays and more exposed surf breaks.

Seagrass, reef, wrecks and limestone platforms support rich marine life, while the low vegetation and bright water give the landscape a distinctive clarity. Vegetation, geology and water movement combine to create a setting that changes markedly between calm weather and more exposed conditions.

It is this overlap of landscape, history and daily use that gives Rottnest Island its particular atmosphere.