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: 17 January 2025
Acting pursuant to the powers conferred by Regulation 38B of the Rottnest Island Regulations 1988, the Rottnest Island Authority hereby closes the following waters to all vessels, excluding bona fide emergency and authorised vessels as set out below between 12 noon on Friday 21 February 2025 to 6 pm on Saturday 22 February 2025.
Area of closure: Thomson Bay
Between Ferry Jetty and Fuel Jetty
All waters with 25 metres of the shoreline.
Authorised Vessel: Powered support vessel displaying a 2025 Rottnest Channel Swim sticker.
Between Fuel Jetty and Hotel Jetty
Swim Channel
All waters from a point 38 metres on the foreshore on the southern side of the Fuel Jetty extending in an easterly direction encompassing the following moorings:
Ranger; Ranger II; TB062; TB072; RIA015 Hire; TB078; RIA016 Hire; TB056; TB100; TB319; TB053; RIA005 Hire; TB051; TB081; RIA017 Hire; TB357, TB200; South Cardinal Marker (115° 32.836’E 31° 59.79’N); TB091, RIA028 Hire; RIA009 Hire; TB077; TB322; TB058; TB060.
Authorised Vessel: bonafide emergency vessels
South of Swim Channel
All waters starting 38 metres south of the Fuel Jetty extending 110 metres in a southerly direction following the foreshore and 25 metres east
Authorised Vessel: bonafide emergency vessels.
North of Hotel Jetty
All waters north of the Hotel Jetty extending 51 meters in a northerly direction and 25 metres east.
Authorised Vessel: bona fide emergency vessels and competitor’s support paddle craft displaying a 2025 Rottnest Channel Swim sticker.
South of Hotel Jetty
All waters south of the Hotel Jetty extending 51 metres following the foreshore in a southerly direction and 25 metres east.
Authorised Vessel: bona fide emergency vessels and tenders <3.75metres in length.
These restrictions have been put in place due to the unusually large number of vessels and people entering the Rottnest Reserve and the need achieve public safety. Appropriate signage will be placed on site and a map showing these restrictions is available for viewing at http://www.rottnestisland.com
Mariners are further advised that due to the proximity of the swim channel to fuel dispensing facilities, fuel supplies will not be available between 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday 22 February 2025.
Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and maintain a safe clearance when transiting this area.
Published: 16 January 2025
Acting pursuant to the powers conferred by regulation 38B of the Rottnest Island Regulations 1988, the Rottnest Island Authority hereby closes the following waters to all vessels, excluding bona fide emergency and authorised support vessels.
Area of closure: Thomson Bay (North)
All waters between the Stark Jetty and Main Jetty extending eastwards from the foreshore following a line along the southern side of Stark Jetty to a position 115° 32’ 30.8E and 31° 59’40.5S, then south to a position 115° 32’31.9E and 31° 59’42.2S finishing at a point on the Main Jetty at 115° 32’32.0E and 31° 59’ 43.2S.
These restrictions have been put in place to ensure safety of swimmers competing in the Champs of the Bay. Event safety craft will be patrolling the area to guide passing vessels.
Download Gazettal Notice - Champs of the Bay Water Closure (PDF 134KB)
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.