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Seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons have set up a dream all-Australian quarter-final showdown at the Margaret River Pro.

Australian surfer Isabella Nichols has endured a scary moment after getting trapped underneath the water during her round of 16 heat at the Margaret River Pro.

Nichols had just completed a wave on Tuesday when she was pushed by the whitewash over the rocks and coral.

The 23-year-old's leg rope got caught on some coral, and she was held under water for about five seconds before being able to rip it off and return to the surface.

Her opponent Keely Andrew copped a battering earlier in the round of 16 heat when her board hit the rocks and she fell face-first into the danger zone.

Nichols ended up winning the clash 12.83 to 12.63 to set up a quarter-final against four-time world champion Carissa Moore, and she was left thanking her lucky stars that she was able to walk away relatively unscathed.

"Oh man, that was probably one of the most rattling heats I've ever had," Nichols told the WSL broadcast.

"I landed on the flat shelf, I thought I was fine. I star-fished. I ended up getting dragged on my belly, hitting my hip, putting my foot in a hole, and then my leg rope ended up catching around a big block of coral, and I couldn't get out.

"I was reaching for my leg rope, and the little tag that you're meant to pull was flicked inside out, so I couldn't get it.

"And as soon as I came up, I was like 'that was very lucky'."

Seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons set up a dream all-Australian quarter-final showdown after winning their way through.

Gilmore edged past close friend and former housemate Nikki Van Dijk, while Fitzgibbons defeated Malia Manuel.

West Australian Bronte Macaulay caused the upset of the day when she defeated world No.2 Caroline Marks.

Macaulay, who hails from nearby Gracetown, used her local knowledge to perfection to build a winning lead.

Marks had the chance to snare victory with the final wave of the heat, but the wave petered out and the American could only muster a 6.67 when an 8.10 was needed.

"It means so much getting through that round," Macaulay said.

"I really needed that result if I want to make it to the end of the year (finals). Caroline's so solid. She's the best goofy on tour at the moment, so it's cool to take her down."

The result sets up a quarter-final clash with Frenchwoman Johanne Defay, who defeated Japan's Amuro Tsuzuki.

Australian Tyler Wright joined Macaulay in the quarter-finals despite making some late tactical errors in her win over Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy.

Wright twice gave up priority in the dying minutes on inadequate waves, but she still managed to hold on to win 11.83 to 11.13.

"Look, I made a few mistakes that I shouldn't really be making," Wright said.

"Especially in the back-end of the heat, I really need to tighten that up. Other than that, I'm happy to get through."

Wright will take on Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb in the quarter-finals.