Activities at the Mackerel Islands, Western Australia
With warm sunny days, a fringing reef and amazing marine life, the Mackerel Islands are ideal for water based activities.
Discover things to do and see for all ages and fitness levels, and experience the magic of the island with our range of hire gear.
Snorkelling & Diving
North of the Ningaloo Reef
Discover the incredible sea life teeming underwater, explore thriving coral reefs, and learn about our resident turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
Boat Fishing & Seafaris
The Fishing Trip of a Lifetime
Home to the Pilbara's fishiest waters, the Mackerel Islands are renowned as one of the best fishing locations in Australia.
School Holidays Activities
Sep/Oct 2023 Island Activities Calendar
An exciting range of daily tours and activities planned for the school holidays - guaranteed fun for both kids and parents!
Dinner Under The Stars
$40 per adult, $15 per child, kids under 5 free
Available March - October 2024 on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Pre booking essential
Island Explorer Hire Boat (Plakas)
$150 half day, $240 full day
Includes fuel and launching
Requires a recreational skipper's licence
Island Eco Trail Walk & Beachcombing
Walk around the island's beaches and bays where you'll see trumpet shells, urchins and other beach treasures. The island is approximately 6km long and 1km wide, making for a 3-4 hour walk around the whole 12km circumference.
Stargazing
The island's dark skies, away from most light pollution, create the ideal conditions for stargazing.
Guests often see meteor showers like the Quadrantids, Perseids and Geminids as they enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Bookings
To book an activity or tour, visit the Island General Store on arrival, or see our friendly crew at the Dinner Under the Stars.
Dinner Under The Stars
$40 per adult, $15 per child, kids under 5 free
Available March - October 2024 on Tuesday and Saturday evenings
Join us for a yummy casual island dinner! We're hosting regular social events on Tuesday and Saturday evenings on Thevenard Island. Our most popular event and highly recommended! Pre-booking is essential via (08) 9184 6444 or [email protected].
Island Explorer Hire Boat (Plakas)
$150 half day, $240 full day, includes fuel and launching Half or full day hire. Requires a recreational skipper's licence
Explore the waters surrounding the Mackerel Islands yourself on our 4.6m plaka boats. These stable boats are unsinkable and ideal for snorkelling, fly fishing, catching a fish or crayfish for dinner or just getting out on the water. Comfortably seating up to 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2-3 kids, they make a great day out. All safety gear is on board, with GPS, sounder and shade awnings.
Kayak Hire
$10 per hour, $50 full day Available all year
Single or double kayaks available. Get fit and have fun exploring and discovering different areas, bays, beaches and coral reef systems around the Mackerel Islands. See colourful fish from above the water. You could even come across turtles, stingrays and dolphins!
Stand Up Paddle Board Hire
$10 per hour, $50 full day Available all year
Try out your skills and improve your balance and core strength. Get fit and have fun exploring and discovering different areas, bays, beaches and coral reef systems around the Mackerel Islands. See colourful fish from above the water. You could even come across turtles, stingrays and dolphins!
Bodyboard Hire
$10 per day Available all year
Bodyboards with underwater reef viewing panels, ideal for kids. Have fun exploring and discovering different areas, bays, beaches and coral reef systems around the Mackerel Islands. See colourful fish from above the water. You could even come across turtles, stingrays and dolphins!
Snorkel Hire
$10 per day Available all year
Swim out from the beach and snorkel over the fringing coral reef situated close to shore, to see a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, crabs and marine life. A hypnotic seascape will drift and roll around you in the calm waters of the bay. The Mackerel Islands are teeming with beautiful sea creatures and opportunities for underwater photos or videos.
Fishing Rod Hire
$20 per day Available all year
Try your hand at beach or jetty fishing, squid jigging, or reef walking at low tide for octopus, in the Pilbara's fishiest waters. If luck's on your side, you could land a catch to cook up a seafood feast at your beachfront cabin. You could even fillet and take home some 5 star species the Mackerel Islands are famous for.
Jetty & Beach Fishing
Use your own fishing rod or hire one from us Available all year
You don't need a boat to enjoy fishing on the island, our land based fishing is also awesome!
Head to the Island Jetty, East End or Back Beach for awesome land based fishing.
Try for Trevally, Queenfish, Threadfin Salmon, Mangrove Jack, Spanish Flag, Emperor, Cod, Bluebone, Coral Trout, Longtom and Squid!
Check out these spots:
Island Jetty
You can fish here all day, but high tide, first light and last light are the best times.
Try Halco twisty lures for Trevally, Queenfish and Threadfin Salmon.
Species such as Mangrove Jack, Spanish Flag, Emperor, Cod and Bluebone can be caught using either squid or mulies as bait.
A simple rig often works best, such as having a ball sinker on some 20-30lb leader, running straight down to your hook.
Squid come to the jetty, especially at night - ask a staff member for assistance in turning on the generator for the floodlight.
East End
Off the point, in front of the sandbags, is a good spot to try for Emperor, Bluebone, Cod and Coral Trout.
You may also encounter Trevally and Queenfish.
Keep your rig simple, with a ball sinker running to your hook, or a small lure.
Back Beach
High tide works best here.
Cast lures for Trevally and Queenfish.
Spangled Emperor can be caught with squid for bait at the western-most point.
You may also catch Longtom, Bluebone and small sharks.
Beach Sports - Beach Cricket & Volleyball
Free activity Available all year
Head to Thevenard Island's tour and activity hire centre to pick up equipment for beach games with your friends or family.
Island Eco Trail Walk & Beachcombing
Walk around the island's beaches and bays where you'll see trumpet shells, urchins and other beach treasures. The island is approximately 6km long and 1km wide, making for a 3-4 hour walk around the whole 12km circumference.
There are 12 markers on the Island Eco Trail:
1. Ghost Crab Beach
2. Coral Gardens
3. Swimming Shallows
4. Turtle Dunes
5. Turtle Highway
6. Sandy Cay Lookout
7. Crayfish Corner (& nearby Osprey Nest)
8. Pristine Point
9. Raptors Rest
10. Seabird Stretch
11. School Shark Shallows
12. Stingray Beach
Stargazing
The island's dark skies, away from most light pollution, create the ideal conditions for stargazing. Guests often see meteor showers like the Quadrantids, Perseids and Geminids as they enter the Earth's atmosphere. Gaze out towards the ocean or lie down on the beach sand and watch the action unfold.
Find out more about the Pilbara Region's Night Sky Stargazing Experiences at Astro Tourism WA.