For those looking for a total beach experience, Coral Bay wins hands down. For those wanting more to do, bushwalks, exploring the national park, nice accommodation and restaurants with a few beach activites tossed in for good measure, Exmouth is the better option.
Within the Ningaloo Marine Park, there are a number of species present, but none more popular than the graceful Whale Shark. Black and White-tip Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Cat Sharks and Wobbegongs are a small sample of species that can be spotted across Ningaloo.
Sandy Bay in Exmouth is a half-mile long privately owned beach which is sheltered and ideal for families. The beach is good for swimming and water sports, and there is a lifeguard during the summer months.
Do I need a wetsuit in Exmouth? If you are a southerner like us, you'll find the water temperature in Exmouth lovely year round. Water temperatures across the year range from 26 in summer to 22 in winter. In the cooler months, we find a shortie wetsuit lets you stay in the water for as long as you like.
Bundegi Beach: A 12km drive north of Exmouth will take you to this local's favourite swimming and fishing beach situated beside the VLF communication towers. Boat owners can also launch from the pier at the southern end of the beach.
Dangerous currents can occur at Turquoise Bay. If there are strong currents, stay on or near the beach. For your safety, please read the signs installed at beach entry points. Known as one of Western Australia's best beaches, Turquoise Bay is the perfect spot to spend the day relaxing, swimming and snorkelling.
Whale sharks are not the only sharks you can expect to see around Exmouth. Reef sharks, mainly white tip reef sharks, are regular sightings at many dive sites, particularly on the Navy Pier. Last summer there were over 20 whitetip sharks at the site, with up to 10 all reposing on the sand in one small area.
The Ningaloo Reef spans 260kms of Western Australia coastline from Exmouth in the North to south of Coral Bay.
Swimming with wild turtles at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
- Just South of Coral Bay's main beach.
- Ningaloo Station beaches.
- Turquoise Bay, Exmouth.
Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef, and one of the longest near-shore reef systems in the world. Stretching 300km from Carnarvon's Red Bluff to the Muiron Islands in the north and Exmouth Gulf's Bundegi Beach in the east, Ningaloo Reef is regarded as one of the world's last great ocean paradises.
When is the best time to visit Ningaloo reef? Ningaloo Reef has something to offer all year round, but the absolute best weather months (in our opinion) are mid March, May, June, September and October. In these months the water is warm, weather patterns are consistent and it's not too busy.
maybe spend 2 days in Coral Bay and the remainder in Exmouth. You could find plenty to fill your days in either location, but Exmouth has more places to potentially visit.
Shark Bay World Heritage AreaShark Bay Marine Park is home to an abundance of marine life, and small coral reefs can be found in remote areas. Access is by boat or 4WD only, however snorkelling tours are available from Denham and Monkey Mia.
You can snorkel around Monkey Mia, however it is a sand and see grass bottom. You will see fish etc. The water is calmer than in town. I recommend the boat tour out to the Dugong grass beds.
More and more people are venturing here to discover the excellent diving opportunities in the Ningaloo Marine Park, to surf and to visit the Cape Range National Park. A bit further South is Coral Bay where the Ningaloo Reef is closest from the shore, just 500 meters away.
You are not allowed to fish off any of the jetty at the boat ramp area, but all the rock walls and surrounding beaches are fair game. Just please remember that it is primarily a boating facility so make sure you keep you lines out of the way and clear of any of the boats using the area.
Yes, the driving distance between Perth to Ningaloo Coast is 1218 km. It takes approximately 14h 23m to drive from Perth to Ningaloo Coast.
Reef Shark NurseryWalk just 20 minutes north along the beach at Bill's Bay and watch as up to 200 reef sharks congregate in the shallow waters between October and March.
Ningaloo Marine Park is off Western Australia's North West Cape, extending along the west coast of the Cape Range Peninsula (near Exmouth). The marine park includes Ningaloo Reef – the largest fringing coral reef in Australia.
The quickest way to get from Broome to Ningaloo Reef Resort, Coral Bay is to fly and bus which costs $600 - $1,900 and takes 11h 7m. Is there a direct bus between Broome and Ningaloo Reef Resort, Coral Bay? Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Broome Visitor Centre and arriving at Coral Bay Ningaloo Club.
Road Trip Guide – Carnarvon to Coral Bay, WA
- Wooramel Riverside Retreat. First stop, Wooramel Riverside Retreat.
- Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.
- The Aquarium.
- Quobba homestead.
- Red Bluff.
- Gnaraloo Bay.
- Warroora Station.
- Coral Bay.
Throughout the months of January, February and March, Exmouth experiences a rash of cyclone activity. Buildings in the area tend to be cyclone-proof, but the short storms often bring flooding to the area. You may want to avoid traveling to the area during these months to avoid certain issues.
The best way to get from Perth to Exmouth is to fly which takes 4h 59m and costs $290 - $800. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $170 - $290 and takes 17h 45m. How long is the flight from Perth to Exmouth? The quickest flight from Perth Airport to Learmonth Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 55m.
