Busselton: Jetty Scuba Dive Tours with Underwater Sculptures

The most unusual part of this Busselton experience is waiting below the 1.8-kilometre timber jetty: handmade sculptures of mermaids, whales, and other figures now share the water with corals and marine life. You reach the site by jetty transport, so the best part of the structure is easy to access rather than a long swim from shore.

I like the small maximum group of five, which gives your guide room to keep an eye on everyone. I also like the shallow 9-metre limit, making this a manageable outing for certified participants at different experience levels. The catch is that you need scuba certification, and experienced divers looking for depth or a technical challenge may find the site gentle.

Key points to know before you book

• The sculptures are the main twist: Look for underwater figures by local artists alongside fish, corals, and other marine life.
• The site reaches only 9 metres: That makes it suitable for all certification levels, but not a deep-water adventure.
• The ride covers the full 1.8 kilometres: Transport takes you from the shop to the jetty’s best underwater section.
• Groups are limited to five: You get a more personal briefing and guided visit than on a large boat outing.
• The gear is supplied: Bring your scuba certification, while equipment and transport are included.
• Guide quality matters here: Celia, a guide from Argentina, was praised for clear safety instructions, calm supervision, and showing plenty of fish life.

Why Busselton Jetty makes such an unusual underwater site

Busselton Jetty is famous above the water as the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Below it, the long wooden structure creates a very different setting from a typical open-water site.

The jetty provides the visual frame for the whole experience. Instead of looking across an empty patch of sea, you move through a place shaped by pilings, changing light, marine growth, and the new sculpture trail. The result is part marine site and part outdoor gallery.

The water below the jetty is home to more than 300 species of marine life and colourful corals. That number matters less as a checklist than as a sign of variety. You could be looking at a sculpture one moment and then following your guide toward fish or coral growth the next.

The sculpture trail began in May 2023. It is still a relatively new addition to the jetty, and marine life is beginning to call the handmade works home. You should not expect every sculpture to be covered in thick growth, but the combination of art and sea life gives this outing a clear identity.

Check-in, gear, and the ride to the end of the jetty

You check in at the Swan Dive shop inside the Busselton Jetty area. The operator provides the scuba equipment for the tour, so you do not need to bring a full personal kit.

You should bring your scuba certification. The supplied information describes this as an outing for certified participants, although the operator can arrange a booking for someone who is not certified if you contact them directly. That alternative is not the standard booking, so sort it out before you reserve a place.

After the equipment is provided, you are transported along the full 1.8-kilometre jetty to the end, where the best underwater area is located. This is an important practical benefit. You are not spending your limited two-hour session walking equipment down the jetty or trying to find the right section yourself.

The ride also gives you a sense of the jetty’s scale. At 1.8 kilometres, it is much longer than a quick pier walk, and carrying scuba gear that distance would be tiring. The transport keeps the outing focused on the water.

A drawback is that a two-hour booking includes the check-in, equipment preparation, transport, briefing, and time in the water. The exact amount of time spent underwater is not stated, so do not assume that all two hours are spent below the surface.

The safety briefing and small-group setup

Before entering the water, a qualified guide gives you a briefing covering the activity and safety measures. This is not a detail to rush. The jetty’s pilings, sculptures, marine life, and other people in the water all make a guided route useful.

The group is limited to five participants. That is a strong feature for anyone who wants direct help with equipment, navigation, or underwater points of interest. A small group also makes it easier for the guide to keep the pace together.

Celia, a guide from Argentina, received particular praise for explaining the process clearly and calmly. Her approach included going over safety before the session, then pointing out fish life during the underwater visit. Guides can change, so you should not book on the assumption that Celia will lead your group, but her example shows the kind of personal attention this format can provide.

You are expected to follow the guide and avoid touching marine life. That rule protects the animals, corals, and sculptures, while also reducing the chance of damaging a site that is still developing.

What you see below the jetty

The underwater route combines three things: the jetty itself, the sculpture trail, and natural marine life. Each adds something different.

The jetty structure gives the site its character. Its timber supports create a repeating pattern above and around you, while the water filters the light. The experience is less like visiting a reef far from land and more like entering a submerged part of a historic public structure.

The sculptures provide fixed points of interest. You may meet mermaids, whales, and other handmade figures by local artists. They make it easier to remember the route and give you subjects to look for rather than simply swimming through open water.

The marine life and corals keep the site from feeling like an art installation placed underwater. More than 300 species are found around the jetty, and the corals are beginning to grow around the newer works. Your guide’s role is useful here because a trained eye can help you notice small fish life and features you might otherwise pass.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is a shallow, guided site with a maximum depth of 9 metres, not a remote reef expedition. Its appeal comes from the mix of access, art, timber architecture, and sea life rather than from dramatic depth or a long, demanding route.

Why the 9-metre depth matters

The maximum depth is 9 metres, which makes this suitable for all scuba certification levels according to the operator. That is helpful if you are certified but do not regularly visit deep sites, or if you want a straightforward outing while travelling through the South-West.

A shallow site can also make it easier to focus on the sculptures and surroundings. You spend less time managing depth changes and more time looking at the jetty and marine life.

Still, this depth may be a limitation for some people. If you are an advanced participant hoping for deep-water training, wreck-style exploration, or a challenging profile, the tour may feel too easy. The experience is designed around observation and access, not technical skill.

The site is not suitable for non-swimmers. Children under 10 are also excluded. The supplied information does not give a more detailed age or experience policy, so contact Swan Dive if your certification, age, or swimming ability falls outside the standard requirements.

Equipment quality and comfort

All scuba equipment is included for the duration of the tour. That saves you from arranging tanks, regulators, exposure equipment, and other basic items separately.

Good equipment matters more than it may seem on a short guided outing. If you are travelling, you may not want to carry a full kit across Western Australia, and unfamiliar rental equipment can add stress. One participant specifically found the equipment to be in fantastic condition and largely prepared in advance.

That preparation can help the session run smoothly, though you should still expect to check fit and confirm that everything feels right before entering the water. Equipment is personal in use, even when supplied by the operator.

The tour does not list personal items beyond your certification, so do not assume that every accessory or comfort item is provided. Ask Swan Dive directly if you have a particular equipment need.

What the $140 price includes

At $140 per person, the price covers the guided session, scuba equipment, and transport along the Busselton Jetty. It also includes access to a site that would be difficult to reach efficiently without the jetty transfer.

The value is strongest if you are already certified and would otherwise need to arrange equipment, a guide, and access to the jetty separately. The group size of up to five is another reason the price can make sense. You are paying for more than a rental kit: you are paying for a guide to lead you through a specific underwater route.

The price is less compelling if you already own all your equipment and simply want independent time underwater. This is a guided experience, and the shallow profile will not suit everyone.

I would compare it with the cost of organising transport and rental gear on your own, not just with the price of a general jetty visit. For a visitor who wants one unusual activity in Busselton, the combination of logistics, guide support, and sculpture trail gives the fee a fair basis.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you are:

• A certified scuba participant wanting an easy-to-access Western Australian site
• Interested in underwater art as well as marine life
• Travelling without a full set of scuba equipment
• Comfortable in a small guided group
• Looking for a two-hour activity rather than a full-day boat trip
• Curious about the Busselton Jetty from a completely different angle

You may want something else if you are not certified, do not swim, or want a deep and physically demanding session. Non-certified participants may be accommodated by contacting the operator directly, but that arrangement needs to be confirmed before booking.

The tour also may not suit someone who dislikes fixed group timing. Your route, briefing, transport, and underwater pace are guided, so you will not be exploring entirely on your own.

Booking details that affect your plans

The tour lasts two hours, with starting times depending on availability. English is the listed tour language.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Western Australia plans are still shifting.

Check-in is at Swan Dive inside the Busselton Jetty area. Allow enough time to arrive, show your certification, receive equipment, and prepare before transport to the end of the jetty.

The experience is limited to five participants. That number can fill quickly during popular periods, especially if you are travelling with several certified friends and want to stay together.

Should you book the Busselton Jetty underwater tour?

Book it if you want a shallow, guided scuba outing with a strong sense of place. The combination of the Southern Hemisphere’s longest timber jetty, local underwater sculptures, corals, and more than 300 species makes this more distinctive than a standard equipment-and-water session.

I would especially recommend it to certified participants who value clear safety guidance and a small group. The positive feedback about Celia’s calm instruction and the well-prepared equipment also supports the tour’s practical appeal.

Skip it if you need depth, independence, or a demanding technical challenge. For everyone else, $140 is a reasonable price for transport, equipment, a qualified guide, and access to one of the South-West’s most unusual underwater sites.

FAQ

Is scuba certification required?

Yes. The standard tour is for certified scuba participants. Contact Swan Dive directly if you would like to arrange a booking for someone who is not certified.

How deep is the underwater site?

The maximum depth is 9 metres.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts two hours.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Swan Dive shop inside the Busselton Jetty area.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transport to and from the Busselton Jetty is included, including the ride along the 1.8-kilometre jetty to the main underwater site.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. All diving equipment required for the tour is included for the duration of the activity.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to five participants.

What should I bring?

Bring your scuba certification.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 years are not suitable for this activity.

Can non-swimmers participate?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.