Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Marine Park (or Ningaloo Reef) is one of the most spectacular locations in Australia and will take your breath away. Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing coral reef in Australia and the only large reef in the world found so close to a continental land mass. It is located off Exmouth in Western Australia, a 2.5 hr flight north of Perth.
Ningaloo Reef is just 100 meters offshore at its nearest point (and less than seven kilometers at its furthest). The accessibility is one of best aspects of the Ningaloo Reef, it is just so easy to get to. This is quite a different experience from the Great Barrier Reef, where long trips to and from the reef are usually involved.
Ningaloo Reef is also relatively undamaged compared to the Great Barrier Reef, which welcomes huge numbers of visitors every year, whereas Ningaloo remains Australia’s ‘best kept secret’.
The reef is home to 180 species of coral, ranging from the cabbage corals, brain corals, lavender corals, delicate colourful branching corals, which form gardens in the shallow lagoons.
Clownfish, lionfish and moray eels are just some of hundreds of species of colourful tropical fish that can be seen.
The coral reef fish of Ningaloo are among the most colourful and beautifully patterned of all sea creatures.
Situated out from the Cape Range National Park, there are some beautiful gorge walks and boat trips into Yardie Creek for wildlife spotting - including the rare black-footed wallaby.
Adventure Experiences at Ningaloo
Are you the sort of independent traveller who loves to immerse yourself in a place when you travel? Challenge yourself with new experiences, and learn something while you do it?
Well you are going to love the Ningaloo Marine Park on Australia’s Coral Coast, 1,200 km north of Perth. Famed for the incredible variety of marine life, the largest coral fringing reef in Australia and excellent deep-sea fishing, you will love the range of adventure travel opportunities it presents. If you like the idea of adventure travel experiences and the awesome natural environment Australia offers, then you will want to book your next trip in Exmouth, hub of the Ningaloo Marine Park.
When you visit Ningaloo, the crew at Ningaloo Blue would love you to come and experience our version of adventure travel. But as you’ll see from these pages, there are lots of adventures available to you in Exmouth and the North West Cape, not just those you can do with us.
We’re famous for our Whale Shark Ecotour
Swimming with the largest fish in the sea is a once-in-a-lifetime experience - and definitely not to be missed.
It’s ’soft adventure’ at its most touching - we have seen guests moved to tears, silenced in awe or exhilarated by these amazingly gentle giants.
Our Whale Shark Ecotours are accompanied by qualified dive masters, despite the fact that you’re snorkelling - not diving. Whale sharks swim just below the surface, which means anyone can join in as long as you can stay afloat - not difficult in a buoyant wetsuit with flippers, snorkel and mask, all supplied by us.
Our guides are well known for their professionalism and enthusiasm, promising you the personal attention that turns a tour into an experience. And you can take home a video of your trip made by our underwater photographer.
Beyond the whale shark season
There’s plenty to see under the waves for much of the year at Ningaloo, so if you can’t come during the high (whale shark) season, don’t be put off.
From July right through to February, the snorkelling, diving and coral viewing are a treat. And Ningaloo beats other coral reefs in being located very close to shore, saving on long rough boat trips.
We can arrange:
- a glass bottom boat tour for those who prefer to keep their feet dry,
- snorkelling or sea kayaking over the reef, including special turtle tours,
- whale watching during the humpback whale migration season (July-November),
- a tour of the rugged Cape Range National Park, including Turquoise Bay snorkelling and a Yardie Creek boat cruise, and
- scuba dives to the Reef’s famous dive sites: the Murion Islands, Navy Pier, Lighthouse Bay and West Side Diving.
Along with a colourful array of smaller fish, coral and the wonderful turtles, guests regularly spot manta rays, wobbegongs and reef sharks. Watch out for dolphins skipping in the wake of your boat too.
Accommodation
Once you decide to come to Ningaloo for your adventure tour, you’ll want to choose a good place to stay. You have a lot of accommodation options to choose from. We’re also very happy to help you find a good place to stay, whether you are a backpacker or interested in the more luxurious options available.
Questions
Any questions? Just use the form below.