With its spectacular beauty and breathtaking snorkelling and diving celebrated worldwide, it's no wonder why Ningaloo Reef is considered to be one of the planet's most significant coral reefs and underwater ecosystems.
Sitting at the northernmost tip of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, Exmouth is a resort town approximately 1200km north of Perth in the ancient Pilbara Region of Western Australia.
The main starting point from which to explore the Ningaloo Coast, Exmouth is a nature-lover’s dream. A place where clear turquoise waters host an incredible diversity of fish and colourful coral life on the coast of Western Australia.
With the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef only metres from shore, Exmouth is the gateway to one of the most pristine marine parks in the world.
What are the must-see attractions on the Ningaloo Coast?
Stretching 300 km from just north of Carnarvon to the Murion Islands off the coast of Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef is perhaps best known for playing host to an annual Whale Shark migration - a definite must for any nature lover's bucket-list. Be sure to time your visit between late March and early August, and take one of the many tours that allow you to swim with these incredible creatures.
Yet Exmouth and the Ningaloo Coast is not just about the water. Just 36 km from Exmouth, the magnificent Cape Range National Park borders the Ningaloo Marine Park and is well worth a visit, showcasing ancient river valleys, steep rocky gorges and a narrow coastal plain. Take a boat tour up Yardie Creek, swim at the unbelievably clear waters of Turquoise Bay or walk the Badjirrajirra Loop Trail.
Fancy something spectacular slightly closer to town? Why not dive the Exmouth Navy Pier? Rated as one of the world's top shore dives, you'll see more fish than you ever thought possible. You will have to book a dive tour for access as it is still a Navy site.
Although the Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth area (and Western Australia in general) is extremely beautiful, be aware that ocean conditions and land temperatures can change rapidly, often without warning. Always read the signs, check local guides and let people know where you are going and an estimated time of return. If you're bushwalking, then be sure to take a personal locator beacon (PLB).