Ningaloo Reef Snorkelling: Your Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable Adventure
Imagine a world where you can snorkel through crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral gardens, graceful turtles, and gentle whale sharks.
Welcome to Ningaloo Reef—a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most spectacular snorkelling destinations on the planet. We spent two exciting weeks here exploring the Ningaloo Reef and the greater Exmouth area.
I’m a certified diver, Tim loves to snorkel and we have two young kids learning how to snorkel (and swim!)
Keep reading to find all the necessary information to plan your holiday to the Ningaloo Reef. I’ll cover the best spots to snorkel, the best tours for Whale Shark spotting, where to stay and some all-important safety info for an enjoyable holiday.
Why Ningaloo Reef is a Snorkeller’s Dream
Ningaloo Reef is a rare gem among the world’s reefs. Unlike many destinations where you need a boat to reach the action, this fringing reef is just a few meters from the shore, making it incredibly accessible. Here’s why it stands out:
- Shoreline Proximity: Snorkel directly from the beach—no long boat rides required.
- Diverse Marine Life: Swim with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, and over 500 species of fish.
- Seasonal Highlights: Witness the annual whale shark migration from March to July and humpback whale tours later in the year.
- Eco-Conscious: Ningaloo is committed to sustainable tourism, ensuring the reef remains pristine for generations.
Dive Into the Best Ningaloo Reef Snorkeling Adventures 🚤🐠
Snorkeling at Ningaloo Reef is an absolute must for your bucket list. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned expert diver, or novice, there is something for everyone.
These incredible tours are a fantastic way to explore the reef up close if you’d prefer a tour, or add something truly unique to your holiday!
🌊 Book your Ningaloo Reef snorkeling tour here and let the adventure begin!
Swim With Majestic Whale Sharks
If snorkeling with whale sharks is on your bucket list, Ningaloo Reef is the place to make it happen. Between March and August, these gentle giants cruise along the reef’s warm waters, providing a once-in-a-lifetime snorkeling experience.
Imagine swimming side by side with a whale shark as it glides effortlessly through the crystal-clear Indian Ocean. Many Ningaloo Reef tours specialize in these encounters, ensuring you have expert guidance and top-notch gear for your adventure.
We found these tours book out very fast. I would recommend to book before you arrive at Exmouth.
➡ Book your Whale Shark snorkeling tour here and tick off this awe-inspiring experience today!
Swim With Humpback Whales 🐋
If swimming with Whale Sharks doesn’t quite float your boat, how about Humpback Whales? Or better yet—why not do both? Between August and October, the majestic Humpback Whales migrate through the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, creating an unforgettable snorkeling experience.
This isn’t just about spotting one of the largest marine creatures on Earth—you might also encounter turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and more, depending on the season. It’s the ultimate Ningaloo Reef snorkeling adventure for nature lovers!
These tours are wildly popular, so book your Humpback Whale snorkeling tour now to secure your spot. This tour even has an exclusive spotter plane, expert guides, and all gear provided (plus delicious food and drinks!), you’re set for a hassle-free day of underwater magic.
Not snorkeling? Kids under 12 can still enjoy boat-based whale watching and other snorkeling activities while you immerse yourself in this breathtaking experience.
➡️Book your tour here—spots fill up fast for this limited-season adventure!
Snorkel With Turtles – Discover Ningaloo’s Gentle Giants 🐢
The Ningaloo Reef isn’t just a haven for whales—it’s also a sanctuary for turtles! Six of the world’s seven turtle species have been spotted here, making it one of the best places on Earth to encounter these incredible creatures.
Similar to whale tours, turtle tours are extremely popular, so book your Turtle snorkeling tour now to secure your spot. Led by experienced local guides, you’ll be shown the very best snorkeling locations, teeming with vibrant marine life and unmatched beauty.
Don’t forget plenty of water, sunscreen, and a wetsuit if you prefer to swim with one. These small-group tours offer a personalized experience, with comfortable high-speed boats and plenty of rest breaks.
➡️Ready to dive in? Book your Turtle snorkeling experience today and get ready to explore the magical marine world of Ningaloo Reef!
Scuba Dive the Ningaloo Reef – A Diver’s Paradise
For certified divers, Ningaloo Reef offers an underwater experience like no other. This World Heritage-listed gem near Exmouth boasts crystal-clear waters, thriving coral gardens, and an abundance of marine life, making it a must-visit destination for scuba enthusiasts.
Imagine descending into a vibrant world where manta rays glide gracefully, turtles swim effortlessly, and schools of colorful fish dart among the coral. Guided by experienced professionals, you’ll enjoy a safe, fun, and unforgettable dive in one of the ocean’s most spectacular ecosystems.
Always carry a copy of your dive certificate—it’s a handy travel essential! Spots for these dives fill up quickly, so don’t wait. Secure your dive today and discover the magic of Ningaloo Reef firsthand.
➡️ Book your Ningaloo Reef scuba diving adventure here and prepare to be amazed!
Top Snorkelling Spots on Ningaloo Reef
Here’s our list of the 7 best snorkelling locations on Ningaloo Reef, complete with insider tips on difficulty, depth, and reef proximity. Be aware of tide times, and weather conditions prior to entering the water.
If you’re stuck on time and wondering what are the best spots- I’d recommend picking Turquoise Bay, or the drift if you’re a good swimmer and oyster stacks. If you’re driving from Perth, and have the time, stop into Coral Bay first for a few hours at least.
1. Turquoise Bay Drift
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Water Depth: 1-3 meters
- Distance to Reef: 50m
Drift along with the gentle current in this postcard-perfect bay. The vibrant coral and abundant marine life make it one of the reef’s most popular spots. I’ve rated this snorkel as moderate, as the best coral is at least 50m from the shore. You need to be a confident swimmer to experience this coral.
Pro tip: Watch for strong currents near the bay’s edge. Read the sign that points out the safest entry spots. Walk left around 100m from the carpark to enter the water.
2. Turquoise Bay
- Difficulty: Easy
- Water Depth: 1-3 meters
- Distance to Reef: not much reef in the bay
Turquoise Bay, as in the bay itself offers a nice spot to swim. It is relatively shallow for a short distance, making it great to swim with your kids. There is a drift, but it isn’t as strong as further out. It is usually calm within the bay.
3. Oyster Stacks
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Water Depth: 2-5 meters
- Distance to Reef: Close to shore
Oyster Stacks is a snorkelling hotspot known for its colorful coral gardens and schools of fish. The reef’s proximity means you’ll be in the action quickly, but take care walking over the rocks to the water. They can be slippery. I’d recommend some reef shoes!
Make sure you swim here only at high tide to protect the coral. We saw turtles, so many fish, reef sharks. Awesome!
I snorkelled here with my 3 year old, it was relatively calm, although she did need assistance climbing out of the water.
4. Five Fingers, Coral Bay
- Difficulty: Easy
- Water Depth: 2-8 meters
- Distance to Reef: 10ish meters
For this snorkel, you can either 4wd from the campspots to the south, or a short 4wd from the town of Coral Bay. It is possible in a 2wd car, but check the conditions.
This Bay offers a nice protected area with white sands, perfect for sandcastles! You can park directly on the sand, jump in the water and swim to the coral. Most of the coral is 10+ meters out, but you will find clumps within a few meters. I took both my kids in here, but it does get deep relatively quickly.
5. Kurrajong
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Water Depth: 2-5 meters
- Distance to Reef: Close to shore
This isn’t as popular, however it is peaceful. We stayed at the Kurrajong campsite, and walked to the water many times! There are car parks for those who don’t camp.
It is a relatively shallow snorkel, and depending on the tide, is calm. You’ll find many crabs running along the rocks here, which will keep the kids entertained for ages!
6. South Mandu
- Difficulty: Easy
- Water Depth: 2-4 meters
- Distance to Reef: Close to shore
Another lesser-known spot, but again, teaming with an abundance of marine biodiversity. You have the option to camp here, as you do with many of the best snorkel spots, but book in advance!
7. Coral Bay
- Difficulty: Easy
- Water Depth: 1-4 meters
- Distance to Reef: Not so much reef
South of Exmouth is Coral Bay. A nice seaside town, turned holiday mecca for everyone to enjoy. The actual beach at Coral Bay offers a lovely white sandy area, with shallow waters perfect for kids to enjoy.
You might be lucky to grab one of the many beach huts around the edges of the beach for some shade, and spend a lazy day here.
We managed to time it with a fish feed – where locals come to feed some big, shiny fish (I’m not sure the names!) but it was really cool! Ask at the local caravan parks for more details, but it appeared to be each morning.
The Gear You Need for Your Snorkelling Adventure
Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef is all about preparation. Ensure you have the right gear, such as a snorkel, mask, fins, and a wetsuit for colder months. Check out these top-rated snorkelling kits to get started. Always monitor tides and currents, and consider joining a guided tour for added safety and expertise.
Mask and snorkel: Purchase a mask and snorkel set before you go on holidays. They are generally overpriced in the tourist spots, and not a huge range. You can always hire fins when you get there, but there’s something nice about having your own snorkel…
Reef shoes: A good set of reef shoes are also handy. They are shoes that made from a wet-suit material with a grippy rubber sole. They save your feet when walking over sharp rocks to get to the water.
Sunscreen: A must! The Aussie sun is harsh, and sunscreen needs to be used. However, one trick to know with sunscreen and snorkelling is to make sure you use sunscreen that is safe for the coral. Here are a few options.
UV swimwear: I love my UV 50+ rashie. It is made from a lightweight material, making it easy to swim in, laze on the beach with, and I even hike with mine! It’s also great if you don’t like the feel of sunscreen! (Yep, that’s me!) Additionally, by wearing a rashie, it also helps with safety for protection from Irrikanji. I put together a few tips on safety for snorkelling the Ningaloo in this article:
Where to Stay
Whether you prefer luxury resorts or budget camping, Ningaloo has options to suit every traveller. We stayed for a few weeks in the caravan park in Exmouth, then headed around to the western side of Cape Range and stayed in some of the most iconic bush campsites you could think of!
The biggest tip we could give you is to book your campsite early, as in months before you arrive to get any spots. These campsites fill up quickly, for good reasons! Otherwise, you can keep checking online to see if there has been any cancellations, but you will need to be flexible with sites and dates.
📍Best Bush Campsite:
Book here and save this link (or this webpage) in your travel notes, you’ll need to refer to book any campsite in the Cape Range National Park.
Or top pick was Kurrajong Campground. The sites were spacious, slightly sheltered behind the dunes, great view of the Range, and a few steps to the beach to snorkel! Can’t get any better!
However, the majority of the campgrounds were just like this 🙂 They are all within about 50km of each other, and are situated on the Western site of Cape Range. Book any and you’ll be impressed!
Don’t have your own camper or caravan? Book a RV of your choice here
📍Best Exmouth Accommodation: Ningaloo Caravan & Holiday Resort
If Bush camping doesn’t interest you, or you want to stay in Exmouth, this is the caravan park we stayed at—and we loved it! The kids had a blast in the pool, and the location is perfect for exploring the reef and Exmouth.
With affordable cabins, caravan sites, and tent spots, plus great facilities like a pool and bar, it’s the perfect place to recharge after a day of underwater adventure
Don’t miss your chance to stay here—grab your spot now before it’s booked out!
📍Best Luxury Spot
For the ultimate luxury escape, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is unbeatable. Tucked within Cape Range National Park, this exclusive beachside safari camp offers eco-friendly elegance with beautifully appointed tents (that are already set up), ocean views, and direct access to the world-famous Ningaloo Reef.
Indulge in all-inclusive gourmet dining, enjoy guided snorkelling adventures, and soak up the peace of an off-grid retreat. Perfect for those craving a secluded, sustainable, and unforgettable experience, Sal Salis is where nature meets luxury.
🌊 Ready to treat yourself? Book your escape now before it’s gone!
Ningaloo Reef Safety
While marine life such as reef sharks and sea snakes are generally harmless, it’s essential to maintain a respectful distance and avoid touching them. To ensure a safe experience, always check local weather conditions, including tide times, adhere to safety guidelines from the locals, and consider wearing protective clothing during jellyfish season.
This article covers all the basic necessities to keep you and your family safe while on holiday at the Ningaloo reef.
If in doubt, ask at the visitor centres for the most up-to-date info, including any recent wildlife sightings. Use common sense like you would around any ocean, especially if you’re new to swimming or have kids with you.
Responsible Snorkelling Tips
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.
- Maintain a safe distance from marine life—look, but don’t touch.
- Follow local conservation guidelines to keep Ningaloo pristine.
FAQs
What time of year is best to visit Ningaloo Reef?
The optimal time to visit Ningaloo Reef is between April and October, when warm temperatures and minimal rainfall create ideal conditions for marine activities. During this period, visitors can swim alongside gentle whale sharks from March to August and witness the majestic migration of humpback whales between July and October.
For those interested in observing turtle nesting, plan a trip between November and March, with hatchlings emerging from January to March.
What is the best beach to visit on Ningaloo Reef?
The best beach to visit on Ningaloo Reef? In my opinion, it has to be Turquoise Bay—it’s absolutely stunning! With its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral gardens, it’s perfect for snorkelling or simply relaxing on the soft white sand.
The drift snorkel here is an unforgettable experience! But honestly, every beach along Ningaloo Reef has its magic. Some offer long white beaches, some lots of coral, some turtles… You really can’t go wrong exploring this paradise!
Is Coral Bay part of Ningaloo Reef?
Yes, Coral Bay is part of the Ningaloo Reef. Located approximately 150 kilometers south of Exmouth, Coral Bay offers direct access to the reef, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and marine life encounters
Our Final thoughts
Ningaloo Reef is more than just a snorkelling destination; it’s a gateway to an underwater paradise. With so much to explore, there’s no better time to plan your trip.
Grab your gear, book a tour, and dive into the adventure of a lifetime.
