Have You Chosen The Best Time to Visit Ningaloo Reef?
The best time to visit Ningaloo Reef? April to July, when the water’s warm and the whale sharks are in town. But there’s something worth seeing here whatever time of year you turn up.
We spent three weeks at Ningaloo Reef and still didn’t run out of things to do. Snorkelling alongside whale sharks, floating over the coral gardens, watching turtles glide past on the reef flat, every day out there was different. We visited in May ourselves, and had calm seas and clear water for our whale shark swim, which lines up with when the season really gets going (more on that in our full guide to whale shark tours in Exmouth).
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Let’s dive into the best season for your trip!
The Best Time to Visit Ningaloo Reef
The best time to visit Ningaloo Reef is between April and July. Average temperatures sit around 30 degrees, the nights are balmy, and this is when you can swim with whale sharks, easily the biggest drawcard on this stretch of coast.
Keep reading and we’ll walk you through what’s on offer across the seasons, so you can plan your trip around what you actually want to see.
When to Visit
Summer (Dec-Feb)
- Average Temperature: 27°C (81°) Source
- Rainfall: 20mm
- Marine Wildlife: last of the turtle hatchlings
During summer, you’ll find a few of the last turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean. Temperatures will be the hottest of the year, and you can find temperatures in the high 30s. This is also the time of year when a few tourist businesses close.
Summer’s also fly season, fair warning. On the upside, it’s quieter, and you can often get a campsite without booking months ahead.
Autumn (Mar-May)
- Average Temperature: 25° (79°F)
- Rainfall: 25mm
- Marine Wildlife: Whale Sharks
Expect cooler mornings and evenings, and a light offshore breeze. You may get 1 or 2 days of rain per month. By May, the temperature will drop to around 24° during the day and 20° overnight.
The whale shark season starts to ramp up towards the end of autumn. Water temperature averages 23°. The campsites will start to book out and holidaymakers will begin making their trek to Exmouth and the Ningaloo.
Winter (June-Aug)
- Average Temperature: 20°C (68°F)
- Rainfall: 20mm
- Marine Wildlife: Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales
This time of the year offers cool nights, around 17° and the days will be a balmy 20°. The rainfall drops to around 6mm during August, which equates to perhaps 1 day per month of rain!
From August onwards you may get the chance to swim with the Humpback whales. Water temperature averages 23°.
Spring (Sept-Nov)
- Average Temperature: 23° (75°F)
- Rainfall: 0mm
- Marine Wildlife: Humpback Whales
The days will start warming up to be around 24° during November. You probably won’t see any rain. The Humpback Whales will continue to be sighted at the start of Spring. Water temperature averages 24°.
Turtles will start to come ashore in November to lay their eggs as the Ningaloo is recognised to be one of the most important nesting grounds. Did you know 5 of the 7 turtle species visit the Ningaloo? (Ningaloo Turtle Program)
When is the best time to see the Whale Sharks?
If you’re planning a trip to Ningaloo Reef, you’ve probably already heard about swimming with whale sharks. Exmouth also runs tours for humpback whales, manta rays, and turtles, depending on the season.
This is what you need to know:
When to see the Whale Sharks
Whale Sharks make their way to the Ningaloo Reef around March every year. They are brought to the area after the coral spawns sometime around March/April. This is a phenomenon that occurs when the coral releases millions of eggs and sperm at once.
Then, plankton and krill feed on the nutrients released by the coral. And Whale Sharks love plankton and krill, bringing around 600 of them to the Ningaloo Reef.
March to July is the best time to dive with the whale sharks, although the season can run through to September. Always book a licensed tour operator, both for your safety and theirs (see our full Ningaloo Reef safety guide for more on that).
A tour is really the only way to guarantee you’ll spot whale sharks while you’re there. This one is our pick. Good service, food and drinks included, and it’s worth booking well ahead, these spots go fast.
When to see Manta Rays
The Manta Rays can be sighted all year round, but your chances are higher between May and November.
When to see Humpback Whales
Humpback whales migrate through the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park between August and October.
From August to September you can book a tour to swim with them.
These tours are popular, so if you’re keen, it pays to book ahead.
This operator uses a spotter plane to find the whales ahead of the boat, which helps. All gear’s provided, plus food, drinks and a crew who know what they’re doing.
Children under 12 can’t swim with the Humpbacks but can watch from the boat and join in other snorkel activities before the whales are spotted. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.
When to see Turtles
From November to March, the turtles will nest on the beaches and the hatchlings start to appear from January to March. However, you’ll be able to spot turtles swimming in the Ningaloo Reef year-round.
To really get amongst the action, book a Turtle Watching and Stargazing Tour. Watch as turtles make their way to shore under a stunning night sky, then gaze up at the Milky Way in one of the best stargazing spots in Australia.
Good guides, a genuinely nice spot for it, and a decent shot at seeing the Milky Way properly away from any light pollution.
What is the worst time to visit Ningaloo Reef?
There isn’t truly a ‘worst’ time to visit Ningaloo Reef, however, you will encounter different temperatures, different activities being available, and some places close over the quieter months.
If you’re planning on visiting the Ningaloo Reef in particular to do an activity like swimming with the whale sharks, make sure you know when they’re most likely to be around. And, book well in advance. It is a relatively short season, so you need to make sure you don’t miss out.
Where to Stay in Exmouth
Exmouth has accommodation for every budget, from caravan parks to beachfront resorts. Book early if you can, accommodation fills up fast in peak season.
📍Best Budget Spot: Ningaloo Caravan & Holiday Resort
For an affordable stay, Ningaloo Caravan & Holiday Resort ticks all the boxes. Choose from self-contained cabins, caravan sites, or tent spaces. Lounge by the pool, unwind at the bar, and enjoy its convenient location near town and Ningaloo Reef.
📍Best Mid-Range Spot: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
For a blend of comfort and style, Mantarays offers spacious rooms with private balconies and beachfront views. Take a dip in the lagoon pool, have dinner at the on-site restaurant, or walk straight out into Ningaloo Reef.
📍Best Luxury Spot: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Sal Salis is a beachside safari camp that combines eco-living with genuinely nice views. Oceanfront tents, guided snorkelling, and food that’s a step up from caravan park fare.
It’s an off-grid experience, worth knowing bookings only run mid-March to mid-November.
FAQs
What is the best time to visit Exmouth for the Whale Sharks?
The best time to visit Exmouth to swim with the Whale Sharks is between March and July, however, the season sometimes extends up to September. Remember to book early as there are limited spots.
How do you get to the Ningaloo Reef?
The Ningaloo Reef is a fringing reef, meaning you can snorkel directly from the shore. If you plan on swimming with the whale sharks or humpback whales, you will need to book a tour.
To reach the Ningaloo Reef, you’ll drive past Exmouth. Exmouth is located about 1250 kilometres north of Perth, or just under two hours’ flight time from Perth.
If you’re camping in one of the many bush campsites, book your motorhome here to properly explore Cape Range.
Worth thinking about travel insurance too, since it’s a remote stretch of coast and tours can get cancelled by weather. AllClear covers specialist and adventure activities if you want to compare your options before you go.
How many days should you stay near the Ningaloo Reef?
We stayed three weeks and still didn’t see everything. We’d recommend at least a week to see the sights around Exmouth, plus a few days out on the reef itself.
You’ll need to put aside at least one full day for a tour to swim with the whale sharks or humpback whales.
What we think
Ningaloo delivers something worth seeing no matter when you visit. Whale sharks in autumn and winter, humpback whales through spring, turtles nesting over summer, every season here has its own drawcard.
It quickly became one of our favourite stretches of coast in Australia, and three weeks wasn’t really enough.
