The History of Blue Lagoon Pearls

The pearling industry was the main livelihood in the Shark Bay area for over 70 years until the 1930s. It is once again in operation, adding a new dimension to tourism. Blue Lagoon Pearls started operations in late 1993 at Red Cliff Bay, off the Peron peninsula, and we are now in our 10th year of operation. We now have three licences in Shark Bay.

After much hands-on empirical trial and error research into innovative shell growing and seeding techniques, we now produce first class pearls. We are pioneers in the cultivation of the Black Lipped  pearl shell (Pinctada Margaritifera) in Shark Bay.

We were also the first to grow coloured pearls from the Black Lipped pearl shell in WA, and the first to grow round pearls from the Pinctada Albina pearl shell which is endemic to Shark Bay.

From the start we have operated a tourist ferry from Monkey Mia to our pontoon in Red Cliff Bay, and we conduct on-board "show and tell" activities for tourists as part of the pearl farm tour.

Our Shop
We also operate a shop on our pontoon and at the Blue Lagoon Pearl Shop in Denham, the main town in the Shark Bay Shire. We sell our own and purchased raw pearls, plus fine jewellery manufactured in-house or by selected Australian designers.

We recently acquired a large state-of-the-art operating pontoon, Sea Lab 1, complete with laboratory and dedicated tourist areas. It is one of the largest in Australia. We have installed a pearl shell hatchery on Sea Lab 1, so that we are not dependant on external hatcheries for our spat.