The pilot of a seaplane that plunged into the ocean off Rottnest Island shortly after take off, killing three people, is identified as James Wong.

James Wong, 34, and two foreign tourists — a 65-year-old Swiss woman and a 60-year-old Danish man, who were both on holiday with their respective partners — died when the Cessna 208 Caravan plunged nose-first into the water near Thomson Bay at Rottnest Island about 4pm.

A seaplane crashed during takeoff from an Australian tourist island, killing three people and injuring three others.

Premier Roger Cook has confirmed three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a seaplane which crashed off Rottnest Island on Tuesday.

At least three people were killed after a small seaplane crashed during take-off from an Australian tourist island. The Cessna 208 Caravan plane crashed on Tuesday while leaving Rottnest Island, which is famous for its friendly marsupials called quokkas.

Police forensics officers have arrived to investigate the tragic crash as tourists continue to flock to the holiday island.

A seaplane crashed off Rottnest Island in Western Australia on Tuesday afternoon. At least three people have died and three others have been injured. Recovery efforts and investigations are ongoing. The cause of the accident is not yet known.