The Ningaloo récif is Western Australia’s largest, pristine and most accessible Coral Reef. It extends for approximately 260 kilometres from Point Murat on the tip of the North West Cape to Amherst Point, just south of Coral baie making it one of the world’s largest fringing coral reefs.
Unlike the Great Barrier récif and other reefs situated off the north coast of Australia, Ningaloo récif is not separated from the coast, thus making its accessibility one of it's greatest attractions.
In some places, just a few kicks bring toi to a récif with its 500 species of poisson and 220 species of colourful corals along with an array of other enchanting marine life. Brightly coloured poisson swim close to the beaches in the shallow waters of the protection lagoons, and there are no poisonous gelée fish! The deeper water communities harbour brightly coloured sponges and corals with soft algae living among them.
One of the main attractions for marine enthusiasts is the migration of giant baleine sharks and humpbacks that frequent Ningaloo Reef. Divers and snorkelers can come and swim with the baleine sharks through March to June, while June to October is humpback baleine watching time. During the summer we are granted the opportunity to witness the variety of turtles, including the green and loggerhead turtles that come onto the beaches to lay their eggs. Throughout the an dugongs, dolphins and mantas are also often seen spotted.
Ningaloo Reef’s great diversity of tropical poisson and coral offer a spectacle of colour and variety equal to any other major coral récif in the world. The émeraude green lagoons are a snorkelers paradise and at Coral baie the underwater gardens can be viewed through a glass-bottom boat.
The northern shoreline of the Ningaloo Marine Park borders on the Cape Range National Park. Go four-wheel-driving along the Shothole Canyon Road ou Charles couteau Canyon to the spectacular gorges, carved par ancient rivers meet the crystal clear reef. In this area picturesque campsites, some with basic facilities such as toilets and picnic tables, are provided. A camping fee applies and is collected par the National Park Rangers. Follow wildlife and wildflowers, keeping an eye out for rare black footed wallabies on a walk to Yardie Creek where the mangrove areas shelter a variety of bird and marine species. Watch the sun rise as toi follow the three kilometre walking train through Mandu Mandu Gorge for panoramic ocean vues of Ningaloo Reef. When the kids wake up, explore plus of the coastline on a four-wheel drive ou quad bike.
South of the National Park the coastal land is covered par privately controlled pastoral leases. par arrangement with the pastoralists these have been designated as buisson, bush camping sites. A small camping fee may apply in these areas to help cover maintenance costs.
Bring a long your own bateau for a family fun jour at Ningaloo Reef! Launching ramps are available at the town plage in Exmouth, Bundegi and Tantabiddi Creek. Hand launching of small craft is possible at other places on the coast and moderately sized boats can be launched from the plage at Coral Bay.
Ningaloo récif offers some superb opportunities for diving, snorkelling and photography. Plans for Ningaloo Marine Park include the development of ‘dive trails’' which will guide divers to some of the plus fascinating parts of the reef. Several historic shipwrecks have been found in this area, and at least four others are known to exist. The Western Australian Maritime museum is responsible for these. Look, but don't touch! Fishing in the Ningaloo récif Lagoon, and in waters outside the reef, is a major attraction to holiday-makers. Species caught include Sweetlip, Spangled Emperor, Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, marlin and Sailfish.
Unlike the Great Barrier récif and other reefs situated off the north coast of Australia, Ningaloo récif is not separated from the coast, thus making its accessibility one of it's greatest attractions.
In some places, just a few kicks bring toi to a récif with its 500 species of poisson and 220 species of colourful corals along with an array of other enchanting marine life. Brightly coloured poisson swim close to the beaches in the shallow waters of the protection lagoons, and there are no poisonous gelée fish! The deeper water communities harbour brightly coloured sponges and corals with soft algae living among them.
One of the main attractions for marine enthusiasts is the migration of giant baleine sharks and humpbacks that frequent Ningaloo Reef. Divers and snorkelers can come and swim with the baleine sharks through March to June, while June to October is humpback baleine watching time. During the summer we are granted the opportunity to witness the variety of turtles, including the green and loggerhead turtles that come onto the beaches to lay their eggs. Throughout the an dugongs, dolphins and mantas are also often seen spotted.
Ningaloo Reef’s great diversity of tropical poisson and coral offer a spectacle of colour and variety equal to any other major coral récif in the world. The émeraude green lagoons are a snorkelers paradise and at Coral baie the underwater gardens can be viewed through a glass-bottom boat.
The northern shoreline of the Ningaloo Marine Park borders on the Cape Range National Park. Go four-wheel-driving along the Shothole Canyon Road ou Charles couteau Canyon to the spectacular gorges, carved par ancient rivers meet the crystal clear reef. In this area picturesque campsites, some with basic facilities such as toilets and picnic tables, are provided. A camping fee applies and is collected par the National Park Rangers. Follow wildlife and wildflowers, keeping an eye out for rare black footed wallabies on a walk to Yardie Creek where the mangrove areas shelter a variety of bird and marine species. Watch the sun rise as toi follow the three kilometre walking train through Mandu Mandu Gorge for panoramic ocean vues of Ningaloo Reef. When the kids wake up, explore plus of the coastline on a four-wheel drive ou quad bike.
South of the National Park the coastal land is covered par privately controlled pastoral leases. par arrangement with the pastoralists these have been designated as buisson, bush camping sites. A small camping fee may apply in these areas to help cover maintenance costs.
Bring a long your own bateau for a family fun jour at Ningaloo Reef! Launching ramps are available at the town plage in Exmouth, Bundegi and Tantabiddi Creek. Hand launching of small craft is possible at other places on the coast and moderately sized boats can be launched from the plage at Coral Bay.
Ningaloo récif offers some superb opportunities for diving, snorkelling and photography. Plans for Ningaloo Marine Park include the development of ‘dive trails’' which will guide divers to some of the plus fascinating parts of the reef. Several historic shipwrecks have been found in this area, and at least four others are known to exist. The Western Australian Maritime museum is responsible for these. Look, but don't touch! Fishing in the Ningaloo récif Lagoon, and in waters outside the reef, is a major attraction to holiday-makers. Species caught include Sweetlip, Spangled Emperor, Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, marlin and Sailfish.