The waters surrounding Dirk Hartog Island are home to some of Australia's most endangered marine animals. The pristine marine environmental around the island provides the perfect environment for these creatures to thrive in, ensuring their survival for future island visitors. Some of the most commonly sighted marine animals around Dirk Hartog Island include Dugongs, Loggerhead Turtles, Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales and dozens of fish species.

Crabs

The beaches of Dirk Hartog island are home to many different species of crabs. The most common ones are mud crabs and ghost crabs.

When the tide is low the crabs come out of their holes and walk along the beach and it is amusing to watch them.

Dugongs -
Shark Bay World Heritage Area is home to over 10,000 dugongs, the original mermaids. Dugongs spend their time in warm waters and during the colder seasons forage in the waters close to Bernier, Dorre and Dirk Hartog Island. During midwinter dugongs spend most of their time in the sea grass beds adjacent to Dirk Hartog Island. It is thought that the dugongs use the sheltered waters at the island's south to give birth.
Dugongs are generally elusive creatures however the crystal clear waters around the island make them easier to spot when they are in the area.

Humpback Whales -
Humpback Whales are occasionally seen around the island during their northern and southern migration. The whales travel north from Antarctica to the warmer tropical and subtropical waters in autumn to mate and give birth before the return to Antarctic waters toward the end of spring.

Fish -

The waters surrounding Dirk Hartog Island are home to hundreds of species of fish including whiting, flathead, bream, pink snapper, yellowfin tuna and mackerel just to name a few. The amount of fish spotted around the island is enthralling and the reef life is amazing.

Sea Snakes -
Sea snakes are very good divers considering they are air breathing animals, they can dive up to 100 m or more and remain underwater for up to 2 hours. Sea snakes are highly venomous though they rarely attack people unless provoked.

Loggerhead Turtles -
Loggerhead Turtles are the most endangered species of turtle to nest in the Shark Bay area and indeed the Australian region as a whole. The waters of Shark Bay are the largest nesting ground for loggerhead turtles in the South East Indian basin and Turtle Bay, located at the island's north is the species prominent nesting ground. Because Loggerhead Turtles are endangered anyone lucky enough to observe the turtles on land should comply with the guidelines set out on the Shark Bay World Heritage Area official website.

Bottlenose Dolphins -
Dolphins are probably the marine animal most commonly associated with the Shark bay area due to highly publicized dolphin feedings at Monkey Mia. The waters surrounding the island are home to many pods of dolphins which can be seen while out on the water or even sitting outside at the Homestead.

Sharks

The waters surrounding Dirk Hartog Island are a gathering place for sharks.

If you go for a paddle you can spot Shove Nose Sharks and Lemon Sharks chasing fish in the reef. While doing deep-sea fishing our guests sometimes do spot a tigershark swimming in the water.