Located in northwestern part of Australia, the remote Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park is co-designed with the traditional owners, the Bardi and Jawi peoples. “Gaarra” refers to the Bardi and Jawi word for saltwater. The current marine park covers 204,000 hectares or 504,000 acres and has recently come under additional protection. This came as result of a consultation with the indigenous peoples, the Bardi, Jawi, Mayala, and Dambimangari that began in 2017. The final plan was announced July 31, 2025. Some of the many species include dugongs, snubfin dolphins, humpback whales, turtles, and rare corals. Indigenous cultural will also be honoured.
According to the Kimberley Land Council, the new Bardi, Jawi and Mayalaardi Jawi Garra, Mayala and Maiyalam Marine Parks will cover more than 600,000 hectares or nearly 1,500,000 acres of the Buccaneer Archipelago. Tyronne Garstone, its CEO, stated, “the way in which these marine parks have been co-designed means important cultural areas, heritage and marine life will be protected in a way that enables both sustainable and customary recreational and commercial use.”
Visitors can enjoy bird watching, boating, and fishing in general use zones. Licenses are required for fishing. Note that there are no boat ramps in the park. The closest public boat ramps are in Derby and Broome. Nature and landscape photographers will enjoy the park’s rock formations, cliffs, bird species, and the humpback whales which migrate along the coast from July through November.
Check www.dpird.wa.gov.au for more information and the latest updates.
Perhaps you are intrigued by the Waterfall Reef which is located at Cygnet Bay. The waterfall is created as tide moves in and out over the coral reef.
Those new to this part of the world may be unprepared for the diversity of conditions here. This includes strong tides, tropical cyclones, and estuarine crocodiles (Linygurra), which live in fresh and salt waters. Protected by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, they can also be found in streams inland.
Entry to the park is free. There are no bathroom facilities and no dogs/pets are allowed.
Getting to Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park
The closest towns are Derby and Broome.
Derby is the oldest town in the region.
Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park website
Download the park info and map. Some details for fishing regulations are still being finalized/clarified. For fishing, download the Recfish app.
Kimberley Land Council website