At Pilbara Dive and Tours, we are lucky enough to spend our days exploring the incredible waters and islands of the Dampier Archipelago in the Pilbara, Western Australia. It’s a place of raw beauty, vibrant marine life, remote beaches, and rich natural and cultural history. While largely pristine, like many coastal environments it is not completely untouched by marine debris.

That’s why we have taken action.

Why We Started

While visiting coastal and island beaches, and during snorkelling and scuba diving activities, we occasionally come across rubbish washed up or left behind from plastic bottles and packaging to fishing line and rope.

As a local tour operator in Dampier and Karratha, we felt a strong responsibility to give something back and play a small part in protecting what makes the Pilbara coastline so special.

Our clean ups along the Pilbara coastline and throughout the Dampier Archipelago are about more than just removing rubbish, they are about raising awareness, engaging the community, and creating lasting environmental change.

A History of Community Action

Community clean ups have been part of our journey for many years. We have been running annual beach clean ups in the Pilbara since 2017 in collaboration with the West Pilbara Turtle Monitoring Group, as well as participating in initiatives with Keep Australia Beautiful. These partnerships have helped build strong community involvement and a shared commitment to protecting the Western Australia coastline and marine environment.

Making an Impact

Our recent Dampier Archipelago Island Clean Up, proudly supported by the Monadelphous Community Grants Program, was a great example of what can be achieved when people come together.

With a team of 2 crew and 8 volunteers, we:

  • Cleaned 8 beaches
  • Visited 4 islands
  • Removed 63kg of rubbish and marine debris

From plastics to fishing gear, every piece removed is one less hazard for marine life in Western Australia. Discarded fishing line and nets are particularly dangerous, often entangling turtles, seabirds, and other marine animals.

And sometimes, the ocean says thank you. On this clean up, a dugong even popped up nearby, a reminder of exactly why this work matters.

Reaching Remote Areas

One of the biggest challenges in addressing marine debris in the Pilbara is access. Many areas are remote and difficult to reach without a vessel.
Using our boat Sailfish, we are able to access islands and beaches that would otherwise go untouched. This allows us to make a meaningful impact – not just where it’s easy, but across the more remote areas of the Dampier Archipelago.

Community Matters

These clean ups wouldn’t be possible without the support of our local community. Volunteers of all ages get involved. From experienced divers removing debris below the surface, to families helping clean beaches above the tide line.

Community involvement is key. It raises awareness, builds a sense of responsibility, and empowers people to take action. For younger participants especially, it helps shape future leaders who understand the importance of protecting our marine environment.

Looking Ahead

So far, we’ve removed over 800kg of rubbish from the Pilbara coastline and Dampier Archipelago, but there is still more to be done. With hundreds of beaches scattered across 42 islands and adjacent coastline, this is an ongoing effort.

Thanks to the support of programs like the Monadelphous Community Grants and local sponsors, we are now working towards running these clean up events more regularly.

Our goal is simple:

  • Cleaner beaches
  • Healthier marine ecosystems
  • A community that cares

Get Involved

We believe protecting the Dampier Archipelago and our local environment is a shared responsibility. Whether it’s joining a clean up, supporting as a sponsor, or simply being mindful of waste, everyone can play a part.

If you’re visiting the region, you can also experience this environment firsthand through our snorkelling and sightseeing tours, dive tours, and sunset cruises departing from Dampier.

If you’d like to get involved or learn more, get in touch. We would love to have you on board.

Together, we can make a real difference.