Posted on

Carnac Island Perth: Boating at its best

Carnac Island Perth

Nothing breathes Australian lifestyle like heading out for a cruisy day on the water, and playing in the calm, crystal clear bays of a boatie’s paradise. Carnac Island Perth is only 10kms off Fremantle WA; but feels worlds away. It’s the perfect location for an Island day trip or private charter. Less busy than nearby Rottnest Island, quite often visitors find they have the Island to themselves.

The historic limestone Island is a largely untouched nature reserve with an abundance of wildlife. The only way to get to the island is by boat. And what a beautiful spot to moor for the day, or even overnight if conditions permit.

Due to the large deadly tiger snake colony on the Island, it’s recommended to enjoy the waters and the beach; but not to venture further onto the Island.

The world’s rarest Sea Lion species, the Australian Sea Lion residents, enjoy snoozing lazily on the beach basking in the sun. The Sea Lions love frolicking alongside you in the water as well as bottlenose dolphins and gorgeous New Zealand Fur Seals.

Explore the sheltered areas around the Island to find your perfect spot, and get ready to fire up the barbie. The Island’s eastern side is usually the most spacious and protected area depending on the weather. You’ll fall in love with the clear calm water, rocky outcrops and reefs that make for excellent diving, snorkelling, fishing and exploring.

According to local fishos the western side of the island fishes well for Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, and Trevally. Further West you can find Dhufish and Pink Snapper. If you’re playing on the Eastern side you’re likely to pull up Herring, Tailor and Whiting. Remember to be careful of the seals and sea lions that might have their eye on your catch.

We think Carnac Island is best enjoyed for swimming, snorkelling, diving and relaxing on board your vessel, leaving the wildlife alone; but enjoying their company, and soaking up the picture perfect surrounds of a very special place.

Posted on

Carnac Island Snorkelling: What might you see?

Carnac Island Snorkelling

Carnac island is a must do WA day trip for those who appreciate crystal clear turquoise waters and majestic and rare wildlife. The protected bays, reefs and rocky outcrops make Carnac Island Snorkelling among the best WA has to offer. And it’s only 10kms offshore from Fremantle.

As a Class A nature reserve, the Island is untouched by resorts and infrastructure, and will stay that way. There are no ferries to the island, so Carnac is visited mainly by private boat and charters. As a result, it’s not as busy as neighbouring Rottnest Island, so you can quite often find your own perfect spot to explore, and have a private paradise all to yourself.

It is advised not to venture much further than the sand onto the Island due to a large colony of Tiger snakes, so you poor things are stuck swimming, snorkelling and frolicking in the crystal clear waters marvelling at the beautiful creatures that call Carnac Island home.

Ok, so you’ve got your flippers, goggles, snorkel and camera ready? Great, find the perfect charter and get set to dive in to Carnac’s special underwater worlds.

Carnac Island Snorkelling

What might you see?

The western side of the island is arguably the best dive spot with many sections of reef, ledges and outcrops that attract large schools of fish, rare Australian Sea Lions and seals.

Among many species of beautiful soft corals, you’re likely to spot western blue devil fish, octopus and crayfish.

Bottlenose dolphins are a common sight and love to playfully ride the waves from the bow of your vessel as you travel through the beautiful WA waters.

With different seasons come different wildlife events. During Spring, Humpback whales spend many weeks enjoying the waters around the Islands, and can often be seen breaching the water. You may even be lucky enough to hear their amazing song while exploring under the sea.

At the right time of year, keep your eyes peeled for Western Australia’s white humpback whale calf ‘Pearl,’ who was spotted very recently in Flinders bay. The rare baby white whale is not technically an albino like Migaloo; it’s believed she will become darker as she matures; but she is just as fascinating and beautiful.

Posted on

Carnac Island WA the history

Carnac Island WA history

Beautiful Carnac Island WA is a 19-hectare A Class nature reserve surrounded by pristine turquoise waters about 10km South-West of Fremantle WA.

From abandoned whaling stations, to prison escapes and mystery snake infestations, the Island has a rich and unusual history.

In the language of the Whadjuk Noongar people, Carnac Island is known as Ngooloormayup, “place of the little brother.” French explorer Louis de Freycinet named the island “Bald Island” upon his discovery in 1803.

James Stirling changed the name to Pulo Carnac Island in 1827 in honour of the second lieutenant on his ship. “Pulo” is Malay for Island, so “Island Carnac Island” soon became known as Carnac Island.

But that wasn’t the end of the identity crisis’ that feature in Carnac Island WA’s history.

From 1836 to 1837, Carnac was utilised as a whaling station (OH NO!) Perth’s first church was transported to the Island to act as a storehouse. Within a few years, it was abandoned (oh good!).

What else to do with an abandoned whaling station than declare it a prison for indigenous Australians? The Swan River Colony, colonial government did just that. Three prisoners Yagan, Danmera and Ningina were banished to the island with three soldiers. Within one month the soldiers (who were less than impressed by the solitary and poor conditions on the Island) helped the prisoners escape via a stolen government stores boat.

The Island then spent some time as a quarantine station before being taken over by the Australian Federal Government in 1916 for defence purposes.

Carnac Island is now a Department of Parks and Wildlife Nature Reserve, which is home to a curious Tiger Snake Colony. It is estimated there are approximately 400 of the deadly snakes thriving on the island. Which is a key reason few people choose to venture further onto the island from the beach or water.

It’s unknown exactly how the tiger snake colony came to be. A popular theory is that tiger snake collector Lindsay “Rocky” dumped the creatures on the island in 1929 after snake exhibitions were banned in WA following the death of his wife by snakebite.

There is no fresh water on Carnac Island, so it’s interesting how the wildlife has adapted to the inhospitable environment.

So interesting in fact, that in Nov 2006 Sir David Attenborough visited the island as part of a reptile documentary to discuss the ‘blindness’ of many of the islands snakes. Reportedly caused by birds pecking at their eyes to defend their chicks, Carnac Island is the only place where this has been observed.

If that isn’t unique enough, the island is home to the Australian Sea Lion, which is the rarest Sea Lion species in the world. It is also a favourite spot for beautiful bottlenose dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. The Island is an important bird area which supports several nesting seabirds and a large colony of the sweet and vulnerable fairy wren.

The Island’s spectacular waters are enjoyed today by boatie’s looking to moor for a fun day of swimming, snorkelling and diving in the sheltered bays and spectacular surrounds.