The Mackerel Islands are a unique adventure playground, both on land and in the sea. Easy to get to, this collection of ten islands and atolls are located off the mid-coast of Western Australia, 22km from the mainland of Onslow, or approximately 1,400km north of Perth, in the spectacular Pilbara region.
Thevenard Island is the main activity centre, with an array of tours, boat charters and equipment hire on offer. Experience true relaxation or be as active as you like surrounded by sand, water and nature.
Mackerel Islands operate a ferry transfer service from Onslow, or bring your own boat & hire a mooring. Scenic flights can be booked from Exmouth or Karratha to land directly on the island’s airstrip.
Explore the Mackerel Islands on a self-guided tour with our range of activities and equipment hire.
- Plaka boat hire (requires a recreational skipper’s licence) - $240 per day including fuel. Seats 1-4 people.
- Kayak hire - $10 per hour
- SUP Board (Stand Up Paddle) hire - $20 per hour
- Snorkel set hire - $10 per day
- Fishing rod hire - $20 per day
Mackerel Islands Charters are an iconic bucket list experience for any fishing enthusiast or visitor to the region. Our boat, Island Escape, is a brand new purpose built 11m twin hull LeisureCat powered by 300hp Yamaha outboards. Island Escape is fast (less time steaming, more time fishing!), has a shallow draught (perfect for shallow reef casting and very stable in deeper sea) and is a very comfortable ride. Other features include marlin poles for game fishing, toilet/shower and the latest electronics to assist our skipper put you onto the fish.
We take up to 10 people per trip giving you a personal and specialised fishing experience like you’ve never had before. We fish a maximum of 7 lines and offer both own line and shared line options. Price includes lunch, tackle, bait and top quality Shimano overhead and spinning combos.
Departs Onslow and Thevenard Island.
A quick getaway and taster of the magic of the Mackerel Islands. Put your fishing skills to the test, catch a beauty and claim bragging rights among your mates! Price includes weekend overnight accommodation at the Mackerels (Thevenard Island), return transfers Onslow-Thevenard, breakfast, lunch and dinner, fishing charter with our guide, top end fishing gear, bait and tackle.
Our charters are renowned for the variety of top quality fish species caught including:
- Quality reef fish – Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Rankin Cod, NW Snapper
- Pelagic action – Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and Wahoo
- Sight casting – Golden and Giant Trevally, Squid
- Snorkelling – Tropical crayfish
Valid for Saturday night bookings only. T&C’s apply. Single rooms only. Upgrade to a double room for $40 per night. Upgrade a group booking to a beachfront cabin, prices on request. Packages are subject to availability & not valid in conjunction with any other offer.
One of our most popular packages. Two days of fishing action plus guaranteed chill time on the island. Home to the Pilbara’s fishiest waters, the Mackerel Islands are easy to get addicted to and you’ll know why once you reel in a thumper or two! You’ll leave relaxed, happy, and could even take home a feed of some of the best quality fish in Australia. Price includes 3 night’s accommodation at the Mackerel’s (Thevenard Island), return transfers Onslow-Thevenard, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, 2 fishing charters with our guide, top end fishing gear, bait and tackle
Our charters are renowned for the variety of top quality fish species caught including:
- Quality reef fish – Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Rankin Cod, NW Snapper
- Pelagic action – Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and Wahoo
- Sight casting – Golden and Giant Trevally, Squid
- Snorkelling – Tropical crayfish
T&C’s apply. Single rooms only. Upgrade to a double room for $40 per night. Upgrade a group booking to a beachfront cabin, prices on request. Packages are subject to availability & not valid in conjunction with any other offer.
The ultimate fishing trip, whether you’ve just got into fishing, fish every chance you can get, or are a hard-core fisho! The Mackerel Islands play host to an incredible range of species – and they are big! Coral trout, giant trevally, queenfish, yellowfin tuna, spanish mackerel, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, red emperor, rankin cod, crimson sea perch, northwest snapper and so much more. Go for glory, catch a personal best and feast on some seriously unbelievable seafood – these are the kind of fishing thrills you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Price includes:
- 7 night’s accommodation at the Mackerels (Thevenard Island)
- Return transfers Onslow-Thevenard
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- 4 fishing charters with our guide
- Top end fishing gear, bait and tackle
T&C’s apply. Single rooms only. Upgrade to a double room for $40 per night. Upgrade a group booking to a beachfront cabin, prices on request. Packages are subject to availability & not valid in conjunction with any other offer.
Dive the Mackerel Islands! Scuba dive with amazing sea life and explore untouched coral reefs. 4 days/3 nights – 21-24 July 2018 – more dates available soon. Special dates for groups of 6 or more on request.
Discover coral reefs and bombies and see colourful fish and marine life including turtles, dolphins, gropers, reef sharks, stingrays, wobbegongs, sea snakes, trevally schools, snapper, pearl perch, fusiliers, batfish and silver drummers.
Price includes:
- 3 night’s accommodation at the Mackerels (Thevenard Island)
- Return transfers Onslow-Thevenard Island
- All meals daily
- 4 exhilarating boat dives
- PADI dive instructor
- Tanks and weight belts
- Additional hire equipment available, must be pre-booked
T&C’s apply, subject to availability, not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Divers must bring their certification card.
Operates July-August.
The Mackerel Islands are visited by various species of whales during their migration and calving season. Our half day whale watching tours give you the opportunity to observe these magnificent gentle giants in the wild.
Whales that have been observed at the Mackerel Islands include the pilot whale, false killer whale, sei whale, bryde’s whale and humpback whales. Each winter, hundreds of humpback whales leave Antarctica to migrate northwards to warmer waters along the coast of Australia to breed and calve, before heading back to their feeding grounds in the polar waters of the Antarctic.
It is common for visitors to the islands to have continuous whale sightings and view awe-inspiring whale behaviour like blowing, breaching and tail slapping.
Departs from the Mackerel Islands.
