Along Western Australia’s remote central coastline, you find the Ningaloo Reef, 1200 km (750 miles) north of Perth, offshore from Exmouth... the Ningaloo Reef is the largest and most accessible fringing coral reef in Australia and is the only large reef in the world found so close to a continental land mass, making it one of the state’s most popular dive destinations... about 100 metres offshore at its nearest point and less than 7 kilometres (4.5 miles) at its farthest... the Ningaloo Reef extends for approximately 260 Kilometres from Point Murat on the tip of the North West Cape to Amherst Point, just south of Coral Bay. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs off the north coast of Australia the Ningaloo Reef is not separated from the coast by a wide expanse of coastal water, thus making its accessibility one of its great attractions for visitors looking for family friendly scuba diving destinations.
The Ningaloo Reef is the longest western fringing coral reef and one of the last healthy major coral reef systems in the world, as well as being unique in its profound biodiversity that it easily qualifies for World Heritage Listing. This has not yet happened, however the Western Australian government is currently preparing a nomination.
The Ningaloo Reef offers some superb opportunities for scuba diving and photography. Plans for the reef in Ningaloo Marine Park include the development of ‘scuba dive trails’ which will guide divers to some of the more fascinating parts of the reef. Several historic shipwrecks have been found in this area, and at least four others are known to exist.
Whales, dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, huge cod or sharks can be seen in abundance at the 260 km (160 mile) long Ningaloo Reef. The reef offers world class dive destinations as well as family snorkelling in sheltered lagoons crammed with coral gardens... the Ningaloo Marine Park was created in 1987 and extended in 2004 so that it now covers approximately 264,000 ha (660, 000 acres) and provides some of the best dive destinations in the world. The Muiron Islands Marine Management Area was created in 2004 and covers an area of 26,760 ha (66,900 acres).
Clownfish sheltering in anemone tentacles, attractive lionfish or predatory moray eels are just some of hundreds of species of colourful tropical marine life that can be seen. The coral reef fish found on the Ningaloo Reef are among the most colourful and beautifully patterned of all living creatures. Even the novice snorkeller or scuba diver can swim in the shallows and witness an amazing variety of fish life. They live in and around more than 180 species of coral, ranging from the cabbage corals, brain corals, lavender corals, delicate colourful branching corals, which form gardens in the shallow lagoons.
From March to July each year visitors from all around the world converge on the Ningaloo Reef for the experience of a lifetime – scuba diving to swim with the awesome whale shark, the world’s biggest species of fish. Ningaloo Reef has large numbers of whale sharks at predictable times of the year. Whale sharks can reach up to 18 metres (60 ft) long and weigh more than 10,000 kg (12 tonnes). You do not even have to be a scuba diver to swim with these massive animals, as they swim close to the surface, drifting with the ocean currents filtering water for the plankton they feed on... see article About Whale Sharks
As the marine life is quite seasonal, you can expect to see the following during the listed months of the year:
- Manta Rays: May to November
- Humpback Whales: June to late September
- Dugongs: May to August (tend to be quite shy)
- Turtles, Sharks, Stingrays & Dolphins: all year
- Whale Sharks: April to early July.
Scuba diving is good all year round. Water temperatures range from 22 - 33° C. The area has pleasant dry temperatures, often summer cyclones occur in the Pilbara region, but are infrequent in the Ningaloo Reef area. Exmouth or Coral Bay are also perfect destinations to view the mass coral spawning, a three day event that begins a week or so after the full moon during March and April... each night, many species of coral simultaneously release millions of bright pink egg and sperm bundles, which float to the surface of the water, creating a floating slick of coral spawn.
Getting there... commercial aircraft fly to Learmonth Airport, which is 37 km south of Exmouth and coaches operate to both Exmouth and Coral Bay. Access along the shore of the park is by four-wheel-drive in some areas. Visitors planning to drive from Perth should allow two days... Large numbers of kangaroos after sunset make driving hazardous.
Scuba diving & snorkelling dive destinations around Exmouth
Boating, coral viewing, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing (outside sanctuary areas), and swimming are also popular. The coral gardens of Coral Bay are an easy snorkel from the shore and you can also view the coral gardens of Coral Bay by glass-bottomed boat. Vessels take people whale watching from Exmouth and Coral Bay, mainly from August to October... scuba diving and fishing charters are available in the Ningaloo Marine Park... just contact us
Snorkelling destinations
Coral Bay foreshore... Your dive or snorkel begins directly from the foreshore of Coral Bay and is up to six metres deep at high tide. There are excellent dive destinations here for novice snorkellers, and experienced divers will enjoy it as well. A large variety of coral and fish life can be seen, with the coral beginning only metres from the shore.
Turquoise Bay... this bay lies 65 km south of Exmouth and provides excellent dive destinations for the family because of its easy diving conditions, the rich diversity of coral, the variety of fish and other marine life close to shore and the exceptional beauty of Turquoise Bay itself. Not far from shore, there are several large coral bombies as well as numerous smaller coral colonies, particularly brain coral and the slow-growing massive coral.
Pilgramunna Ledges... here, snorkellers can discover a surprising diversity of marine life, some beautiful coral formations, multitudes of colourful reef fish and occasional oceanic fish species, as well as rays, sharks and diverse invertebrates. All within 10 metres of the shore.
Scuba dive destinations
Muiron Islands... located about 10 km (6 miles) north east of Exmouth... 45 minutes by dive boat, the dive destinations around the Muiron Islands are suitable for all scuba diving experience levels as scuba divers face a maximum depth of 20 m (65 ft) and usually gentle currents. Swim throughs and ledges provide plenty of places to search for shrimps, nudibranchs, eels, juvenile angelfish and other timid creatures. In mid-water and against the reefs, look for friendly potato cod, large rankin cod, turtles, nurse sharks, soft coral gardens, anemones, clams and 1000’s of darting, colourful reef fish. Late in the year, manta rays grace several dive destinations... From about November, the turtles head for the shallow waters of the Islands to mate and nest... On your trip spend time at the beach where you can watch the turtles in the water, see their tracks in the sand and enjoy a fabulous drift snorkel... In mating season it is possible to see turtles mating in the water.
Nor-west Reef... can only safely be dived when the tides, swell and sea conditions are right. These are reef destinations whose ruggedness has brought grief to a number of early mariners in these waters... Nor-West Reef lies about 1.3 nm off the Cape. The eastern edge of the reef provides a dive complete with ledges, overhangs, coral bombies, gullies and small caves, which provide shelter for large tawny nurse, and reef sharks.
Lighthouse & VLF Bays... nestled on the western side near the top of the Cape, Lighthouse Bay & VLF Bay offer incredible scuba diving all year round. There are many sites in this area including ridges of limestone reefs supporting a wonderful range of large and small creatures to excellent drift dives allowing you to cover a great area of diverse ecosystems.
Point Murat Navy Pier... the Navy pier was built in the 1960’s as a supply route for the US. It has since become one of those dive destinations with a world wide reputation for its amazing range of sea creatures. Scuba diving under the Point Murat Navy Pier is an experience that all divers visiting Exmouth should undertake. Rated as one of the top dive sites in Australia, the Navy Pier provides the ultimate scuba diving experience.
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