Bring Your Own Boat Over to the Mackerel Islands, Western Australia

The Mackerel Islands offer excellent facilities and services for guests who arrive by their own private boat to explore the surrounding waters.

Our island team are ready to assist you in enjoying a safe and fun boating holiday.

Here's some essential boating info to read before you head out to sea to visit.

 

Thevenard Island

Thevenard Island is open April - December 2024 and March - December 2025.

  • 23 small boat moorings (5m to 8.5m)
  • 2 deep boat moorings (up to 12m)
  • Fuel available daily
  • Bait, tackle, ice, freezer storage
  • Shaded fish cleaning area
  • Radio base operating on Thevenard Island
  • VHF radio, channel 72
  • Safety support and Royal Flying Doctor services

Direction Island

Direction Island is currently closed for the 2024/2025 season.

  • 1 small boat mooring (up to 6m)
  • Radio base operating on Thevenard Island
  • VHF radio, channel 72
  • Safety support and Royal Flying Doctor services

Getting Here by Boat

The Onslow Beach Resort is your reception point when you first arrive in Onslow. Our friendly staff will provide you with the latest local weather and island check-in information to ensure you arrive safely and well equipped at your island destination.

Secure car and trailer parking is available on the mainland for $25 per night.

Thevenard Island boat mooring hire is available for $20 per night.

Launch your boat at the Onslow Boat Ramp, Beadon Creek Road. This is a good town facility but please remember it does get busy on the weekends with other users.

Thevenard Island Boat Directions

Drive slowly to the end of Beadon Creek and head 330 degrees for approx 22km / 12nM. You will notice a pair of channel markers identifying the mooring area. It is advisable to lift your outboards before entering as it is very shallow, especially during low tides. This is the only safe entry as a fringing coral reef system runs around the remaining part of the island.

The trip will take approximately 45 minutes.

21'27,960 S

115'01,519 E

Direction Island Boat Directions

Drive slowly out of Beadon Creek and head 350 degrees for approx 10km / 5.5nM. You will notice a pair of mooring buoys in front of the beach cabin marking safe water. It is important that you have your own GPS and sounder on to identify where the reef systems and shallow points are around the islands. Isolated bombies are present and skippers should proceed cautiously during low tides.

The trip will take approximately 20 minutes.

21'32,292 S

115'08,089 E

Hire Boats

If you don’t own a boat, but want to experience Thevenard Island’s marine playground for yourself, try one of our 4.6m plaka boats powered by a 30HP outboard. These stable plaka boats are unsinkable and ideal for snorkelling, fly fishing, catching a fish for dinner or just exploring the surroundings. Licensed for 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.

A recreational skipper’s ticket or equivalent is required for all hire boats. For more information see https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/recreational-skippers-ticket.asp or the Department of Transport, WA.

Fishing

Update: Our fishing charters are not currently operating. Excellent fishing opportunities are still available when you stay at the Mackerel Islands. You can beach fish, hire a plaka boat or take your own boat over.

For information on rules and regulations regarding fishing possession limits, click here. Please note that this information is accurate as of November 2024, and guests are encouraged to check the current regulations, as exceptions or changes may apply.

Where to stay

For accommodation information see Mackerel Islands and Onslow for options to stay at the islands or on the mainland.