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Dampier Archipelago The Dampier Archipelago is a coastal wonderland comprising of 42 islands and islets all within a 45km radius of Dampier. These islands offer excellent opportunities for boating fishing snorkelling camping and other recreational activities. The Yaburara Aboriginal language group are the original inhabitants of the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago and as such there are many thousands of Aboriginal rock engravings shell middens and artefact scatters located in the area. Although the islands now known as the Dampier Archipelago appeared on a chart drawn in 1628 for the Dutch East India Company the first recorded European to visit the area was Englishman William Dampier aboard The Cygnet in 1688. Relics of later occupation can be seen on the islands with structures remaining from whaling pearling and pastoral activities. The Dampier Archipelagos scenic landscape of spinifex covered islands dramatic piles of jumbled red rock and white sandy beaches contrast against aqua waters and bright blue skies. It provides a visual feast for all who visit and a wealth of recreational opportunities. Best known for the fishing and boating opportunities it presents the Dampier Archipelago has much more to offer. The richest area of marine biodiversity known in Western Australia and comparable to the Great Barrier Reef the Dampier Archipelago offers the chance to view coral reefs sponge gardens sea grass and more than 650 species of fish making snorkelling and diving popular. Whale watching is popular between June and September when humpback whales are commonly seen migrating between their summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic and their winter breeding grounds in the tropics. Bottlenose and Indo-pacific humpback dolphins are also regularly seen. Flatback green hawksbill and loggerhead turtles are often seen in the Dampier Archipelago and during the summer visitors have the opportunity to watch the female flatback green and hawksbill turtles nesting on several beaches. Bird watchers have the opportunity to see more than 100 bird species including several migratory waders that use the beaches and mudflats to feed and rest during the long flight from their breeding grounds in Northern Russia. Ospreys and sea eagles are frequently seen including large osprey nests. The elusive Rothschilds rock wallaby or the www.karrathavisitorcentre.com.au Naturally Pilbara 31