Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay - Western Australia's Coral Coast

Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay - Attractions and Places to See

Snorkel Locations

Turquoise Bay (Drift Snorkel) Considered to be one of the best snorkel sites in the area, this drift snorkel is definitely worth a go! From the ‘Drift’ car park you can access the drift snorkel, be sure to exit the water at the sand bar by swimming straight out. From the ‘Bay’ car park you head south out of the Bay about 300m where you enter the water. Swim straight out and let the current carry you north over coral bombies. Exit near the sand bar. Be aware that this area can possess strong currents due to a break in the reef further out. These currents are usually strongest around the sandbar at the southernmost point of the Bay. This snorkel is suited to swimmers of an average fitness and snorkelling ability. Turquoise Bay Snorkelling within the Bay is quite rewarding and easy - a perfect spot for beginners to practice their skills! Enter from the beach and snorkel out over coral and marine life. Currents don’t exist in the Bay area but always check conditions to be sure.

Oyster Stacks This site is great for fish life and is best accessed on a high or incoming tide. Take care entering the water as the shoreline is rocky with some sharp oyster shelled areas. Enter the water at the end of the walking track and snorkel either north or south.

Lakeside is a great snorkel spot for swimmers of average fitness and capability. From the carpark walk 400m south along the beach to the marked entry point. Snorkel out in a northerly direction for 150m before returning to original entry point.

Beaches

Turquoise Bay is located 60 kilometres south of Exmouth. "Turquoise Bay" is appropriately named. A crystal clear lagoon with coral reefs teeming with brighly coloured fish. The ideal place to relax, swim or dive with the abundant array of marine life only metres from the shoreline. Snorkelling within the Bay is quite rewarding and easy. To do the more popular drift snorkel, walk south down the beach about 300 metres. Enter the water, swim straight out about 30 to 50 metres and let the current take you along in a northerly direction, effortlessly gliding over coral bombies before exiting near the sand bar.

Bundegi Beach is located 12 kilometres north of Exmouth and marks the start of the Ningaloo Marine Park. It is an ideal beach for swimming, snorkelling and fishing from the jetty. Bundegi Beach also has boat launching facilities

Town Beach is located 1 kilometre from the Exmouth townsite and is the most accessible beach to Exmouth. Ideal for morning or evening walks or beachcombing. Facilities include a boat ramp, picnic shelters and toilets. Town Beach is a good location for windsurfing and sailing.

Lighthouse Bay Beaches Access tracks along the Mildura Wreck Road and leading to the Vlaming Head Lighthouse are ideal for fishing, swimming and sunbathing. The Mildura Wreck is at the end of the Mildura Wreck Road where in the shallow waters lies the wreck of the SS Mildura. A cattle ship destroyed on the reef during a cyclone in 1907.

The beaches are excellent for a relaxing stroll along the shore line or beachcombing at low tide when small sections of the reef are exposed. A wide variety of interesting marine life and items can be found. Rocks and pebbles washed smooth by the actions of the sea over millions of years, displaying unique colours and shapes can be located in shallow rock pools.

At times you may see Ospreys fishing in the shallows, diving into the water before flying off with their catch.

Pebble Beach located 13 kilometres south of Exmouth on the Exmouth to Minilya Road. A beach covered in pebbles of all shapes, sizes and colours. Pebble Beach is a safe swimming beach and suitable for beach fishing.

Coral Bay see Coral Bay section

Green and Loggerhead Turtles

Ningaloo Reef and adjacent islands are one of the world's major breeding areas for sea turtles. During the breeding season between late October and March, Green and Loggerhead turtles make their way up the beaches to lay their eggs. Night tours provide the opportunity to watch the turtles make their long arduous journey up the beaches to lay their eggs or to watch the hatchlings scramble down to the water's edge. Jurabi Turtle Centre provides an insite into the life cycle and perils faced by these Turtles. Please observe the conditions as explained by your tour guide or at the Jurabi Turtle Centre when watching this struggle for survival.

The best beaches to view sea turtles laying and hatching are from Mauritius, Jacobsz and Jansz Beaches which are a short distance south of the Vlaming Head Lighthouse. A well sign posted informative display at the main nesting site is worth spending time to read about the struggle for survival for these marine creatures. The Exmouth Visitor Centre can assist with up to date information about the breeding season and night tours for this event.

Vlaming Head Lighthouse

The Vlaming Head Lighthouse and Lookout provides magnificent views of the North West Cape and the Ningaloo Reef. Built in 1912 and now fully restored, this is Australia's only kerosene burning lighthouse.

Located 12 kilometres north of Exmouth on a sealed road, the lighthouse and lookout is accessable by car. From the lookout, fantastic sunsets and sweeping views of the Ningaloo Reef and North West Cape gives you an appreciation of the natural beauty of the area. Watch the local bird life soar past as you are on the same parallel with them; you may see Osprey or Sea Eagles in flight.

Look out over the horizon and see the white spray of salt water coming from the "blow" of huge Humpback Whales as they surface for air, rounding the North West Cape on their annual migration to or from the area. At times, the whales can be seen close to shore when they breach the surface where the expanse of their body or tail fin can be identified amongst the spray. A coin operated binocular mounted at the lookout can provide unique sights of the Humback Whales.

Seperate tours of the Lighthouse can be arranged from the the Exmouth Visitor Centre

Milyering Visitor Centre

Visit the Milyering Visitor Centre to interpret the wonders of the Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Marine Park. Located 52 kilometres from Exmouth in the heart of the Cape Range National Park, the Milyering Visitor Centre has an array of models, videos, a library selection, and many graphic displays.

Made from rammed earth and run by solar power, the Milyering Visitor Centre is one of the most exciting places on the cape to visit. The staff of the Milyering Visitor Centre will aid you in understanding the unique environment of the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park. Daily hours and centre activities can be also be obtained from the Exmouth Tourist Bureau

Note that there are daily entry fees for the Ningaloo Reef Park. These fees go to the conversation, protection and maintainance of the park and the facilites. ( This is money well spent and worth every cent)

Yardie Creek Gorge - Cape Range National Park

Yardie Creek is a famous gorge located 90 kilometres from Exmouth in the Cape Range National Park and 38 kilometres south of the Milyering Visitor Centre along the Yardie Creek Road. The ancient gorge features deep blue waters, red coloured limestone cliff faces and an array of wildlife including the rare black footed wallabies and a variety of birdlife.

The ideal way to appreciate the natural beauty of the gorge is to take the Yardi Gorge Tour by boat. This is an informative and relaxing boat cruise which has been described as Spectacular! Alternatively a 500 metre walk meanders above the gorge's vertical red rock walls, overlooking Yardie Creek.

Cape Range National Park

Situated on the west side of the North West Cape is Cape Range National Park. An amazing national park with 50kms of pristine beaches, deep canyons and rugged limestone ranges. Wildlife is abundant with emus, red kangaroos and euros. The northern boundary of the park is 40kms from the town of Exmouth. The park is divided into the West and East sides.

Two locations of the eastern side of the Cape Range National Park to visit are;

Shothole Canyon
16kms south of Exmouth on the Minilya to Exmouth road is the turnoff to Shothole Canyon. Named after the explosive charges set up to create miniature earthquakes for seismographic studies during the oil searches in the 1950's. There is a picnic area at the end of the 15km road and a short walking trail. The canyon road provides easy access into one of the many spectacular gorges in Cape Range. The sheer canyon walls exhibit colourful rock layers.

Charles Knife Canyon
23kms south of Exmouth you turn west off the Minilya to Exmouth road into Charles Knife Canyon. The road follows the knife edge ridges of the range and provides spectacular views down into and over the canyons and over the gulf, especially stunning during sunset or sunrise as the natural light highlights the colours of the canyon walls contrasting against shadows produced by the ridges.

This road is partly unsealed and can be described as undulating and uneven. The normal family type sedan and motor home can travel along this road surface without trouble however it is advisable to travel at a reduced speed for the more uneven sections. SUV's and 4 wheel drive vehicles are more suitable.

Ningaloo Reef - Exmouth - Coral Bay - Places to Stay - Tours - Things To Do - Things To See - Whale Sharks - Humpback Whales - Fishing - Getting There