Carnarvon is home to the world's largest sea grass bank, and is also close to the Shark Bay Word Heritage site, where dolphins, dugongs, turtles and sharks can be seen. The Gascoyne River mouth is also great for fishing, swimming, wind surfing and kite surfing. The boat harbour contains the Barry Bickley Wharf, 12 boat pens, a boat ramp, a slipway and two service jetties, as well as public toilets and car parking. There is also a mooring control area at the Carnarvon Fascine.
The land-backed wharf was named after long-term Carnarvon resident and Department of Transport employee, Barry Bickely (now deceased). It caters for unloading of prawn trawlers and scallop vessels and has three diesel fuel berths.
A recreational boat ramp is located on Harbour Road with two ramps and split level jetties, toilet facilities and fish cleaning facility.