West Island

The third Encounter Bay island

West Island is the westernmost of the granite islands in Encounter Bay, sitting around 4 km offshore from the western end of Encounter Bay near The Bluff. Together with Wright Island and Granite Island closer to shore, the three form the distinctive offshore island chain that defines the bay's view.

A wildlife reserve

West Island is part of the Encounter Bay Marine Park and is managed primarily as a seabird breeding site - the most isolated and undisturbed of the three islands. Long-nosed fur seals haul out on the rocks, and the island supports breeding populations of cormorants, terns and other sea birds.

Access

No public landing is permitted on West Island - it is a strict wildlife protection zone. Best appreciated from the shore at Encounter Bay, from the climb up The Bluff, or from boat tours into the bay.