Australia scuba diving is synonymous with the Great Barrier Reef, but go west and you'll discover peaceful dive sites, epic marine life and an abundance of sunshine all year.

Whilst the Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly one of Australia's best scuba diving destinations, the diving scene in Western Australia is as good if not better.

Here's why you need to go Western Australia scuba diving:

1. Swim with whale sharks

Go Western Australia scuba diving from March to June and you can swim with whale sharks in their hundreds.

The stunning Ningaloo Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts these spotty giants each year, as well as over 500 species of fish and hundreds of corals.

You don't need to be a diver to get in the water with the whale sharks either.

2. Dive Australia' Hidden Gem: Rowley Shoals

If there's one place to go diving in Western Australia above all others, it has to be Rowley Shoals.

The pristine Rowley Shoals Marine Park lies 300km from Broome and is remote by anyone's standards.

Consisting of 3 coral atolls perched on the edge of a continental shelf, the shoals host abundant reef and pelagic life.

You can spot sailfish and humpback whales on the outer reef or spend your days enjoying fast-paced drift dives through flourishing reef channels.

Fewer than 200 people get to dive Rowley Shoals each year. Make sure you're one of them.

3. Dive with Mantas, Dugongs & More

As well as whale sharks, Ningaloo Reef also hosts a variety of large marine life thanks to the reef being part of a migration route.

Dive Ningaloo Reef and you can enjoy encounters with the marine life highlights:

• Mantas (all year, peaking May to Oct)

• Dolphins (all year)

• Turtles (all year, nesting from Nov to Jan)

You can also spot dugong. Dive Ningaloo Reef in March to May for the chance to see impressive mass coral spawning.

4. Swim with Humpback Whales

For a real treat, visit Ningaloo Reef from July to November and swim with huge humpback whales.

The reef hosts tens of thousands of humpbacks each year and it is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with them.

Need More western australia scuba diving Inspiration?

Read my Dives News Wire article about scuba diving Western Australia to find out more about these other highlights:

• Small-group catamaran liveaboard safaris.

• World-class diving away from the crowds.