Visiting the Ningaloo Reef Australia was by far the spotlight of our journey to Western Australia. The times that we spent in Coral Bay and Exmouth have been the happiest and most memorable days of our journey. And the way may it not have been?
It was three wonderful days spent absorbing the solar rays, swimming in crystal clear waters, making mates with the good underwater animals and swimming with the largest fish within the sea on the Ningaloo coral reef!
If you’re questioning “the place is Ningaloo Reef situated?”, the Ningaloo Reef coast stretches for 260km from Amherst Level south of Coral Bay to Bundegi Seashore close to Exmouth Aus. This makes it one of many largest fringing reefs on the planet, with the Ningaloo Reef typically mendacity as shut as simply 100m off the coast.
Ningaloo Reef Australia is house to over 200 species of exhausting coral, 50 smooth coral and over 500 species of fish, together with manta rays, turtles, humpback whales, and whale sharks that pop by for a go to between Might-June.
Determining the easiest way to take pleasure in the most effective of the Ningaloo Reef Australia was a problem. What about Ningaloo Reef lodging? Ought to we be diving Ningaloo or go Ningaloo snorkeling? The place are the most effective locations to for snorkeling Ningaloo Reef? Are whale shark excursions, Ningaloo, well worth the cash?
These have been the questions bouncing round our minds once we have been planning our journey to the Ningaloo Coast Australia and we’re positive there are numerous others on the market questioning the identical.
So here’s what we discovered about Ningaloo Reef throughout our go to to the World Heritage Web site.
Picture by Indian Ocean Imagery courtesy of Kings Ningaloo Reef Tour
The Finest Time to Go to Ningaloo Reef Australia
The Ningaloo Reef Australia is a fantastic place to go to year-round. It’s well-known for its spectacular underwater world and heat climate. It doesn’t actually expertise a moist season however cyclones can generally threaten the placement of Ningaloo Reef from December and April. So the most effective time to go to Exmouth or the most effective time to go to Coral Bay can be outdoors these months.
Temperatures vary from upwards of 37C in the summertime (December to February) to a mean of about 20C within the winter (June to August). Subsequently most individuals have a tendency to go to Ningaloo seashore within the winter as the remainder of nation cools down however the space across the Australia Ningaloo Reef stays nice.
If you’re visiting to see a specific kind of wildlife, whereas Ningaloo Reef snorkeling, guarantee they’re in season to keep away from disappointment. Ningaloo Reef whales sharks frequent the realm from March to June, manta rays may be noticed from Might to November and humpback whales may be seen from July to November.
Prepared to leap in! Picture by Indian Ocean Imagery courtesy of Kings Ningaloo Reef Tour
The place to Entry the Ningaloo Reef Australia
There are 2 nice areas for exploring the Ningaloo Reef Australia: Coral Bay and Exmouth. The place you keep or entry the reef relies upon fully on what sort of traveler you might be and how much expertise you might be after throughout your go to to the Ningaloo Reef coast.
Coral Bay tends to be a extra household pleasant crowd whereas Exmouth is known for its youthful inhabitants of holidaymakers.
Issues to Do in Ningaloo Reef Australia
Snorkeling Ningaloo Reef
Ningaloo Reef Australia is without doubt one of the solely locations on the planet the place you’ll be able to stroll from the seashore straight onto a coral reef and benefit from the firm of colored fish swimming and feeding in between your legs. So seize a snorkel and a masks and head straight into the water for some beautiful Ningaloo Reef snorkeling!
You’ll be able to rent snorkeling gear on the southern finish of Coral Bay seashore.
Coral Bay is a good spot for these new to snorkelling. The water is heat, calm, and gives nice visibility, and the Ningaloo Reef is just 100-200m away from the seashore.
Invoice’s Bay and Purdy Level are the 2 hottest snorkeling Coral Bay spots and simply accessed by foot from any lodging on the town. For these in search of an off the crushed path website, there may be Oyster Bridge and the Lagoon, however these areas are solely accessible with a 4WD or with a Coral Bay snorkelling tour firm.
Snorkeling in Coral Bay. Western Australia
Snorkeling in Coral Bay. Western Australia
Exmouth’s snorkelling websites are all situated in Cape Vary Nationwide Park. So Exmouth to Ningaloo Reef is a couple of 45 minutes drive.
Lakeside is a good snorkel spot for inexperienced persons and may be explored with Exmouth snorkeling excursions. It’s situated close to the Milyering Customer Centre. Oyster Stacks, is supposed to be nice for fish life and is greatest accessed on a excessive or incoming tide.
Noticed this man whereas snorkeling in Ningaloo Reef in Turquoise Bay
Turquoise Bay Ningaloo is by far the most effective and most adventurous spot for Exmouth snorkelling. It was our absolute favorite! Entry the seashore from the Drift Automotive Park, soar within the water and let the currents take you on an superior drift snorkel. Watch out alongside the bend as the present can get fairly robust and produce your waterproof digital camera as you might be certain to see lots of of fish, Ningaloo reef sharks, stingrays, and turtles at this Exmouth snorkelling website!
Other than providing nice snorkelling, Turquoise Bay can also be one of the crucial lovely seashores alongside the Ningaloo Reef coast (and in Australia for that matter!). It’s famend for its white sands and turquoise waters. Plan to spend at the least a couple of hours within the bay, belief us, you’ll not wish to depart this space of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park.
One other cool discover at Turquoise Bay. Cape Vary Nationwide Park. Western Australia
Word: there isn’t a civilization in Cape Vary Nationwide Park and thus no retailers the place you’ll be able to rent snorkelling gear. So come ready and hire some flippers and a masks from one of many retailers in Exmouth Ningaloo Reef.
If a tour is extra your velocity we might suggest one in every of these Ningaloo Reef snorkelling excursions. These Ningaloo excursions will take visitors to a few of the high diving websites within the Ningaloo Marine Park for as soon as in a lifetime experiences to see attention-grabbing marine life like Exmouth whale sharks:
- Marine Eco Safari – Swim With MantaRays Ningaloo: This 5+ hour tour will take visitors to see Corals Bays resident Manta Rays. You’ll be supplied lunch and lodge transfers.
- Ningaloo Humpback Whale Swim & Reef Snorkel from Exmouth: This as soon as in a lifetime tour will take you to swim alongside majestic humpback whales alongside the Ningaloo Reef. It additionally consists of refreshments, a complimentary beer or champagne and lunch.
- From Exmouth Whale Shark Tour: See these light giants up shut on a full day Ningaloo whale shark swim from Exmouth. A marine biologist is on board to show you about whale shark behaviour and a spotter aircraft will make sure you get an opportunity to be within the water with the whale sharks Ningaloo Reef.
Channeling my inside yogi at sundown in Turquoise Bay, Cape Vary Nationwide Park.
Ningaloo Reef Diving
As you’ll think about, Ningaloo Reef is house to some implausible dive websites. Whereas it’s attainable to succeed in some smaller websites to dive Ningaloo from Coral Bay, the vast majority of the well-known Ningaloo Reef WA dive websites are situated inside a 30-45 min boat experience from Exmouth.
Wobbegong Shark at Lighthouse Bay dive website in Ningaloo Reef
Exmouth Navy Pier is a world well-known dive website, nonetheless on the time of our go to, it’s inaccessible because of the harm from Cyclone Olwyn. So most dive boats alternated between taking the divers out to Muiron Islands and Lighthouse Bay to dive Exmouth.
Muiron Islands lie simply 9.8 nautical miles off the tip of the North West Cape Heat, and supply heat tropical waters full of marine life and each exhausting and smooth coral gardens for Ningaloo diving.
Lighthouse Bay is situated on the northernmost tip of the Ningaloo Reef and is house to numerous Ningaloo Reef dive websites that includes coral formations and nice marine life together with some particular options like a turtle cleansing station on the Labyrinth and the manta ray cleansing station at Gulliver’s.
Turtle cleansing station on the Labyrinth dive website. Lighthouse Bay. Ningaloo Reef
Turtle and a faculty of fish.
There are a variety of dive firms on the town providing a really comparable Ningaloo Reef scuba diving bundle with costs beginning at $150 for two absolutely geared up dives. Introductory dives (dives for many who do not need a legitimate SSI/PADI diving certification) are additionally accessible for a barely greater worth. Introductory divers are all the time accompanied by a divemaster who takes care of you and your gear all through the day.
To see the most effective of the Coral Reef, Western Australia, embark on one in every of these Ningaloo Reef diving excursions. You’ll be delighted to see a group of shark, fish, and different marine life on these Ningaloo Reef excursions.
- Scuba Diving in Ningaloo Reef: Full-Day from Exmouth: This nice diving journey takes you to go to 2 dive websites in Ningaloo WA. You’ll spot an unimaginable abundance of marine life on this Ningaloo Reef tour.
- Muiron Islands Diving Ningaloo Reef Tour from Exmouth: Spend the day exploring the UNESCO Web site Murion Islands of the Ningaloo Reef. You’ll be handled to lunch and drinks, go to two dive websites and be transferred out of your lodge.
Go On a Boat Tour
If underwater adventures usually are not your factor, there are different methods to expertise the Ningaloo Reef with out getting moist. There are a variety of firms in each Coral Bay and Exmouth that supply boat excursions to the Ningaloo Reef. Some are sundown excursions, glass backside excursions, and whale sharks Ningaloo cruises.
Listed here are a few our favourites:
- Ningaloo Reef Turtle Ecotour: This 3 hour tour takes visitors to snorkel on the Inexperienced Turtle Sanctuary or to only take pleasure in time on the water. Crews indulge the visitors with in-depth data on the turtles and information alongside the best way.
- Glass Boat Coral Tour: On this one hour leisurely glass backside cruise you’ll move by vibrant coral reefs aboard the Nhanya-Ku. It comes with full commentary from the educated crew about whale sharks and different marine life.
- Ningaloo Whale Shark Excursions and Cruise: On this catamaran cruise, you’ll sail previous whale sharks with an authorized marine biologist. Friends are invited to dive in for swimming with whale sharks or simply watch from the boat. Espresso, tea, and a buffet lunch is included, as are kayak and rise up paddleboards. The Ningaloo Reef whale shark season is from March to June.
The place to Keep, Ningaloo Reef Australia
Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef
Coral Bay is a small fishing city with one seashore, a grocery store advanced, a couple of small retailers, and a few of the greatest snorkel Ningaloo alternatives The city is nearly 100% reliant on tourism with the vast majority of its guests being households and greater teams who dwell out and in of the coral bay surf swimming, fishing, and coral viewing.
In Coral Seashore WA there are two cafes, a bakery, a pizza place, and one restaurant on the Ningaloo Reef Resort and completely no nightlife or another leisure.
Coral Bay city centre…when you can name it that
At first, Coral Bay WA actually dissatisfied us. Our expectation is small and intimate. However, we imagined it to have a backpacker vibe. A spot to attach with different vacationers and dwell the seashore life. It wasn’t like that on this part of the Ningaloo Coast.
If you’re touring with household and particularly when you’ve got babies, Coral Bay is a good place to base your self for a couple of nights. You’ll be able to benefit from the laid again way of life, take your time exploring Ningaloo Reef that’s actually solely 100m away from shore, spend days kayaking, sunbathing, and stress-free.
If you’re a younger adventure-seeking traveler, Coral Bay might be not the place for you.
Whereas the city does function 3 completely different Ningaloo Reef whale shark excursions for swimming with whale sharks WA and it has one dive store offering consumers with the most effective scuba diving masks and trendy scuba outfits, it doesn’t even come near having the number of actions and Ningaloo whaleshark swim alternatives as supplied in Exmouth.
The place to Keep in Coral Bay, Western Australia
Coral Bay has a handful of Ningaloo lodging to select from. These are our favourites:
- Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers: This vibrant hostel has a fantastic location. It’s situated only a few minutes stroll from the seashore. It’s clear, has a pool, and a big kitchen and barbeque space.
- Coral Bay Ningaloo Reef Resort: The Ningaloo Reef Resort Coral Bay WA is a haven for households, full of children constructing sand castles on the seashore, oohing and aahing on the website of crabs and fishies. It’s clear, absolutely useful with a pool and in addition, gorgeous ocean views of Ningaloo Bay.
- Individuals Park Flats: Positioned throughout the road from the seashore this nice residence lodging, has nice outside areas and a big kitchen. The rooms differ in sizes, absolutely useful and clear.
Lovely Coral Bay seashore
Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef
Exmouth is one other small city of two,500 residents situated some 150kms north of Coral Bay on a Ningaloo Marine Park map. In contrast to Coral Bay, Exmouth isn’t set on the seashore. In actual fact, the closest seashore to Exmouth is situated about 20 minutes outdoors of city, in direction of North West Cape. Regardless of being small and straightforward to stroll round by foot, the city itself is moderately unfold out.
Murat Avenue, Exmouth
Once we first arrived in Exmouth, it felt abandoned, quiet, and missing any kind of persona, however by the point we have been prepared to depart, it turned a spot that we yearned to get caught in. There’s a sure sense of group in Exmouth. That’s the sensation you solely get in small cities the place everybody is aware of one another.
Regardless of being very spaced out, you are inclined to run into the identical folks regardless of the place you go. With the great folks, you might be positive to satisfy in Exmouth, that’s not a nasty factor!
READ NEXT: Accountable Information to Visiting Exmouth, Western Australia
Locations to Keep in Exmouth, Western Australia
Exmouth gives numerous Ningaloo Reef lodging choices starting from campgrounds to high-end luxurious resorts. There’s something right here to please everybody. Having a automotive is extraordinarily helpful in Exmouth. In the meantime, the excursions will virtually all the time decide you up and drop you off out of your Ningaloo Reef lodging. Exploring by yourself with out a automotive is virtually inconceivable.
- Sal Salis Luxurious Ningaloo Reef Glamping: This eco-luxury Ningaloo tenting website is operated beneath the Parks and Wildlife Service of Western Australia. It has 15 luxurious Ningaloo Reef tenting tents and a protracted record of eco credentials. Together with, virtually 100% solar energy and native sourcing of all supplies are used on this luxurious lodging property.
- YHA Backpackers Ningaloo Reef Resort Exmouth: This sustainable lodging is situated within the centre of city. It has each personal and dorm rooms, and three swimming swimming pools.
- RAC Exmouth Ningaloo Caravan and Vacation Resort: Positioned within the middle of city this Ningaloo caravan park, has unpowered and powered websites for caravans and campers. There are additionally cabins, bungalows, and dormitories for hire at this Ningaloo resort caravan park.
The Location of Ningaloo Reef & How one can Get To Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is situated on the Western Coast of Australia in between Perth and Broome. It’s on the Indian Ocean and recognized for its turquoise waters, vibrant coral and attention-grabbing marine life.
The closest massive metropolis to the Ningaloo Reef Australia is Perth. The Perth to Ningaloo Reef drive is over 10 hours.
It’s a lengthy 12 hours and 45 minutes (1249 km) drive from Exmouth. In the meantime, an 11 hours and half-hour (1122 km) from Coral Bay. Karratha is in regards to the midway mark from Perth. The gap from Karratha to Exmouth is 5 hours and 40 minutes (549 km).
In case you would like to fly there may be an airport situated simply outdoors of Exmouth. There are flights from most cities throughout Australia together with Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The flight time from Perth is slightly below 2 hours.
Nonetheless, when you’d choose another person drive from Perth to Exmouth. Take into account this 7 day tour which stops in any respect the highest locations alongside a Nice Western Australia street journey.
Picture by Indian Ocean Imagery courtesy of Kings Ningaloo Reef Tour
READ NEXT: What You Have to Know Earlier than Embarking on the Nice Western Australia Street Journey
What’s the Ningaloo Reef Australia Most Well-known for?
Essentially the most well-known factor to do on the Ningaloo Reef Australia is to swim with whale sharks. Exmouth has essentially the most outfitters for locations to swim with whale sharks. Nonetheless, that’s not all there may be to see.
There may be an abundance of sea life and over 500 species outdoors of whale shark diving Exmouth. There are resident manta rays, humpback whales and a plethora of fish.
When you’ve got come for a whale shark tour, you’ll be able to typically spot from March to June in the course of the season. Simply make sure that your whale shark swim is with an moral supplier.
Your whale shark swimming Exmouth shouldn’t do any harm the atmosphere. Or, alter the behaviour of any whale shark Exmouth has. We went with Kings Ningaloo Reef excursions. We liked that that they had high-efficiency motors on their boats, low noise/fuel engines, and a no-touch coverage.
READ NEXT: Accountable Solution to Swim With Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Reef
By no means a Boring Second on the Ningaloo Reef!
Between catching the solar rays, snorkelling, diving, swimming with the Ningaloo whale sharks, turtles, and manta rays, you go to will probably be filled with actions!
And when you crave extra, there are all the time days that may be spent browsing, fishing, watching turtle nesting, and a lot extra! Our 4 days on Ningaloo Reef flew by leaving us with glowing tans, new mates, hundreds of photographs and a lifetime of recollections.