Carnac Island Island
Protected island off Perth home to Australian sea lions
A small nature reserve off Fremantle, Carnac Island hosts sea lions, seabirds and rocky reefs; day trips and snorkeling boats bring visitors from Perth for wildlife encounters.
Carnac Island at a Glance#
Admission: Free (parked boat or tour fees may apply)
About Carnac Island#
Carnac Island is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Fremantle in Western Australia, protected as a nature reserve. It is known for its coastal vegetation and for native marine wildlife.
The island is a focus for wildlife viewing, with commonly seen sea lions and seabirds; there are no permanent facilities and visitors normally arrive on commercial boat tours or private craft. Overnight stays are not permitted under reserve management rules.
The island has been managed for conservation and public safety, and landing is regulated to protect wildlife and habitats. Beaches, rocky shorelines and shallow reefs around the island are used for short shore visits and snorkelling by licensed operators.
Carnac Island lies in the Indian Ocean off the Fremantle coast, within sight of the Perth metropolitan coastline and reached by a relatively short boat trip from Fremantle.
- Wildlife viewing: Popular destination for day boat trips and wildlife viewing from the water, particularly for Australian sea lions and seabirds.
- Access and facilities: There are no visitor facilities on the island; landings are managed because it is a protected nature reserve, so most visits occur via licensed tours from Fremantle.
Weather & Climate near Carnac Island#
Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 10°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (742 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 19° - 27° | 23° | 11 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 20° - 27° | 23° | 18 mm | - | - | 6.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 19° - 26° | 22° | 14 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 15° - 23° | 19° | 38 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 14° - 20° | 17° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 152 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 17° | 14° | 158 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 10° - 17° | 14° | 107 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 70 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 13° - 19° | 16° | 39 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 15° - 21° | 18° | 25 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 17° - 24° | 21° | 7 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
