Boating Alerts & Updates
Be prepared for the marine conditions you’ll experience during your boating trip
When you are travelling to Wadjemup by boat, it is important to stay up to date with the latest boating alerts and notices that might impact your trip.
In WA, Temporary Notices to Mariners are issued in the Summary of Gazettal Notices and Areas PDF document twice a year. Current notices applicable to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island visitors are outlined below.
Boat users should also expect closed waters in some areas during major events. To aid in the management of these events, all visitors are asked to follow directions from Rottnest Island Rangers and police officers, or officers from the Department of Fisheries and Department of Transport. Maps for upcoming water closures are available below.
Rottnest Island Authority recommends checking for any temporary notice for mariners, navigational warnings, and event advice before you start your journey.
Current notices to mariners
Published: 29 November 2024
Acting pursuant to the powers conferred by regulation 38B of the Rottnest Island Authority Regulations 1988, the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) hereby closes the following waters to all vessels, excluding bona fide emergency services and authorised event vessels.
Area of Closure: Thomson Bay
- 250 metre radius of position 115° 33.318E 31° 59.869S, and
100 metre radius of position 115° 33.208E 32° 0.038S (Ranger 4 Emergency Mooring)
Time of Closure: Between 12 pm Monday 30 December 2024 and 12 pm on Wednesday 1 January 2025.
This area is closed for the 2024 NYE fireworks.
Authorised emergency service vessels and approved service vessels are permitted to access these waters. A barge and support vessel will be anchored at the centre point to facilitate the fireworks.
Orange flag floats will be deployed to indicate the boundaries of each area.
Mariners are advised that they will not be able to follow FR6M 5M leads at 277° into Thomson Bay.
These restrictions have been introduced for the purpose of public safety.
Download Gazettal Notice - Water Closure (PDF 147 KB)
Download Water Closure Map (PDF 1.3 MB)
Published: 29 November 2024
Acting pursuant to the powers conferred by regulation 38B of the Rottnest Island Authority Regulations 1988, the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) hereby closes the following waters to all vessels, excluding bona fide emergency services and authorised event vessels and watercraft.
Area of Closure: Thomson Bay - Beach Access
All the waters within 25 m of the shoreline, from a point on the foreshore 400 metres south of the Hotel Jetty and extending in a northerly direction following the foreshore to Mushroom Rock headland.
Tender (max vessel length 3.75 m) are permitted to access the beach starting from a point 70 m south of the Hotel Jetty extending north to a point 35 m north of the Stark Jetty, excluding designated swimming areas.
Authorised vessel is a vessel who have paid confirmation or written authorisation from the RIA to occupy a nominated RIA Hire Beach Pen, Fuel Jetty or Hotel Jetty Pens and Resident Beach Pens.
Time of Closure: Between 6 am on Tuesday 31 December 2024 and 12 pm on Wednesday 1 January 2025.
These restrictions have been introduced for the purpose of public safety.
Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and maintain a safe clearance when transiting this area.
Download Gazettal Notice - Beach Closure (PDF 105 KB)
Download Beach Closure Map (PDF 739 KB)
Current water closures
Published: 19 December 2023
Acting pursuant to the powers conferred by regulation 38B of the Rottnest Island Authority Regulations 1988, the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) hereby closes the following waters to all vessels, excluding bona fide emergency and authorised vessels:
Area of Closure: Pinky Beach Waters and Beach Access
All the waters within and south of the line of the following coordinates:
- 115° 32.285’ E 31° 59.297’S
- 115° 32.446’ E 31° 59.333’S
Authorised emergency service vessels and approved service vessels are permitted to access these waters.
Yellow floats will be deployed to indicate the boundaries of the area and signage will be installed on the beach.
These restrictions have been introduced for the purpose of public safety.
Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and maintain a safe clearance when transiting this area.
Further information
Weather alerts
Severe weather can be dangerous when you are out on the water. It can include high winds, swell, and other hazardous conditions.
To make sure you are safely prepared, monitoring the Bureau of Meteorology website for any weather alerts before and during your visit is recommended.
Scheduled works and maintenance
Works and service improvements are periodically conducted across the island to maintain and improve the experience for visitors.
You can find the latest information here on any works that may impact your visit.
Special events
Special events held at Wadjemup / Rottnest Island can result in significant boating activity, which is likely to impact you if you are arriving by a private vessel.
Check the special events page for details about upcoming any events that may impact your trip.
Restrictions for Rottnest Channel Swim and New Year’s Eve
RIA wants all participants in the Rottnest Channel Swim and New Year’s Eve events to be as safe as possible. As such, crowd management and safety measurements will be in place during these times.
Anchoring and beaching in Thomson Bay in front of Samphire Rottnest is restricted during these periods, and we’ll put up a signposted area where tender vessels can beach instead.