Houtman Abrolhos, Coral reef archipelago in Western Australia.
The Houtman Abrolhos is an archipelago of more than a hundred islands and reefs in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia's coast. The waters are shallow and clear, with coral formations and sandbars that spread across a vast area.
Dutch sailors first reached these islands in 1619 and named them after their captain. During the 1600s, ships struck the reefs and wrecked in these waters, making the area treacherous for navigation.
The islands are home to nesting seabirds and contain the remnants of early European settlements. Visitors can see old buildings and structures that tell stories of those who lived here centuries ago.
Visitors can reach the islands by boat from Geraldton or by scheduled flight. Day trips are the only option since overnight stays are not permitted, requiring you to return to the mainland each evening.
Tropical and temperate ocean creatures live together in these waters, which is unusual for this latitude. A powerful ocean current brings warm water from the north, creating this rare mix of marine life.
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