We often get asked for advice on where to stay when visiting Ningaloo.
There are lots of options – many listed on our site. In this and future posts I’ll keep you updated, starting with the latest info for the increasing number of adventure travellers wanting luxury accommodation.
There are a few excellent options now, in particular the new Novotel, and two of our old favourites are still going strong – the Pot Shot’s Osprey Apartments and Ningaloo Reef Retreat.
The Novotel Ningaloo Resort is Exmouth’s newest edition, bringing luxury, elegance and style to our small town! Here’s an article from news.com.au: Reef resorts to luxury.
It’s situated right on Sunrise Beach, part of the new marina development, so ask for an apartment with ocean views. The restaurant and bar is superbly designed, and the quality of service and meals is a credit to the resort.
Couples and families can all enjoy the comfort of this 4-star resort.
The popular Pot Shot Resort houses Exmouth’s main bar, where both locals and visitors congregate. There’s a late night party atmosphere here over the weekend, with the Bamboo Bar (affectionately known as the ‘Bimbo Bar’ by locals) rockin’ on until late on a Friday night. There’s also a relaxed restaurant and a swimming pool.
As well as budget and mid-range accommodation, the Pot Shot’s luxurious self-contained Osprey Apartments are just across the road from the main resort. Some have spas, the prices are reasonable for the quality of accommodation, and again they’re suitable for both couples and families.
Finally, the Ningaloo Reef Retreat, on the west side of the North West Cape, is the ULTIMATE in remote yet comfortable camping. This is for true adventurers who are into deluxe ecotourism.
The retreat is located within the beautiful Cape Range National Park right on one of the most delightful beaches in the world, so you’re guaranteed an ocean view! Accommodation is in luxury tents complete with wooden floors, fully furnished, solar showers and decks overlooking the ocean.
Guests can just slip on some snorkelling gear and swim a few metres from the secluded beach in front of the Retreat to see beautiful corals and tropical fish.
A little further from shore you have a good chance of finding one of the turtles that live and breed in the sheltered waters. Guides are on hand to show you where the turtles rest among the coral gardens.
Further out again, the Blue Lagoon is a natural aquarium buzzing with marine life – the best snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef and an easy paddle from the retreat on a double kayak.
Stargazing is another good reason to stay here. The Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon, and if you opt to swag it outdoors or relax in a hammock in front of your tent, you’ll probably fall asleep counting shooting stars.
You can also hike easily from here into the Mandu Mandu Gorge for stunning views over the reef.
In my next accommodation post I’ll run through the caravan/camping parks and give you the heads-up on their particular characteristics to help you choose the one that suits you best.
Conservationist and marine biologist 
I often read and hear comparisons between the Great Barrier Reef and our own Ningaloo Reef. Some say the GBR can’t be beaten, others that Ningaloo is far superior.
