8 reasons why you should visit Coral Bay, Exmouth’s quieter neighbour
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Cover photo: Aerial shot of Coral Bay
Just under two hours south of Exmouth, Coral Bay is known as Exmouth’s quieter neighbour. But it is a stunning destination in its own right. With a laid-back vibe and easy-going nature, Coral Bay is a great place to head to if you want to enjoy a stress-free outdoorsy seaside escape. Located north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the weather is phenomenal. Holiday-lovers are attracted to the tiny coastal town mainly because of its tropical climate, white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. With some of the best beaches in the world, the scenery is beyond spectacular; locations don’t get more idyllic.
We’re sure you don’t need any encouragement to visit Coral Bay. But just in case you do, we’re here to help inspire you. This coastal paradise lies around 150 km south of Exmouth. If you love the ocean and enjoy chasing those holiday beach vibes, we know you will feel right at home in the small seaside settlement.
So, let’s look at what makes Coral Bay a must-visit destination and what unique experiences you should incorporate into your Western Australia travel bucket list.
Swim and snorkel with whale sharks
Swimming with whale sharks is the number one activity that brings people to Coral Bay. And with good reason. This region of Western Australia is a special one. It is one of a handful of places where you can see and swim with these amazing ocean giants. Unless you’re planning a trip to Mexico, the Maldives, or the Philippines, this is your one opportunity to see whale sharks in their natural habitat. From March to July, they arrive to feed on mass coral spawning in the Ningaloo Reef. Swim with whale shark tours begin in Coral Bay around mid-March and usually run until the end of June. So, if there is one thing you must do in Coral Bay, it’s a small group whale shark tour to see or swim with these majestic creatures. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we guarantee you will have a whale of a time – pun intended! You can read more about swimming with whale sharks.
See and swim with humpback whales
Whale watching is another one of those quintessential Ningaloo experiences. Some 40,000 migrating humpback whales arrive in the region between June and October. They travel a long way – thousands of kilometres from the Antarctic – and use Ningaloo as a resting and birthing place. If you fancy a real interactive experience, local tour operator Coral Bay Eco Tours runs a variety of oceanic experiences, including whale-watching tours and humpback whale safaris. Even if you don’t feel adventurous enough to jump in the water, the moment you see a humpback whale breaching the water from a boat will stay with you forever. Humpback whale tours run from the end of June to mid-October. Read more about the experience on swimming with humpback whales.
Snorkel with manta rays
Unlike humpbacks and whale sharks, manta rays are present in the water at Coral Bay all year round. But between mid-May and November, their numbers are highest, and they tend to be more curious. Book a half-day or full-day guided tour for the best chance of swimming with manta rays. Tour operators use spotter planes to help locate the rays and maximise the chances of an in-water interaction. Manta rays are graceful and a mesmerising sight to behold. But they don’t like to hang around for long. So, you might need to channel your inner Olympic swimmer to keep up with them.
Explore the underwater world of Ningaloo Reef
Come and snorkel – or dive – the Ningaloo Reef and enjoy life-changing encounters with turtles, rays, tropical fish and more. Walk into the water straight from the beach. In just a few seconds you will be swimming amongst the spectacular coral reefs. It’s that accessible – unlike the Great Barrier Reef, which takes at least an hour to reach. But Ningaloo is so much more than just the ‘Great Barrier Reef of the West’, which it often gets called. It doesn’t get the same crazy amount of attention as the Great Barrier Reef. But that can only be a good thing. The waters here are warm most of the year and almost always clear. Bill’s Bay and Paradise Beach are both beautiful snorkelling spots. Head to Five Fingers Reef and be blown away by the aquatic life. But you will need a 4WD to access the track that gets you to the reef. Read more about Ningaloo’s best snorkelling spots.
Take a glass bottomed boat cruise
Snorkelling the Ningaloo Reef isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But there is still a way to see the incredible world-famous reef – without getting wet! It involves cruising the pristine crystal-clear waters in a glass-bottomed boat. The World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is alive with undersea life. Local glass bottom boat operators run daily tours. Choose between a one-hour coral viewing cruise or a two-hour coral viewing and snorkelling cruise. Whichever type of tour floats your boat (excuse the pun), you will be in awe of the colourful coral reef and amazing marine life. Marvel at the abundance of tropical fish, turtles, and rays – all from the comfort of a boat as the crew provides an in-depth commentary of life below the ocean waves. Best of all, this fun marine interaction is suitable for all ages.
Enjoy a lazy day at the beach
Bill’s Bay, the main beach in town, is a popular spot, with soft white sand and clear and calm water. So, head here if you want a lazy day at the beach. Remember to be sun smart: bring a hat, a shirt and sunscreen! Being protected by the reef, it benefits from a lack of waves and currents. You can stand in ankle-deep water and see lots of fish. Bill’s Bay is a favourite beach for families visiting Coral Bay. Right next door to Bill’s is Paradise Beach. The beach here is generally quieter. With crystal waters, it is a great spot to try snorkelling from the beach. But due to a strong ocean drift, it’s best suited to confident swimmers. If your pet pooch is holidaying with you, Paradise Beach is also the only beach where you can enjoy a beach walk with your best furry friend.
See reef sharks at the shark nursery
Take a 20-minute walk along the beach at the north end of Bill’s Bay to get to Skeleton Bay Reef Shark Nursery. If you time it right, you might see hundreds of black-tip reef sharks swimming in the clear blue shallow water. September to March is the best time to visit to increase your chance of observing this magical sight. The bay is protected, so please do not swim here.
End the day watching a stunning sunset
Haven’t you heard? Western Australian sunsets are epic. There is something special about the sunsets in Western Australia; they just hit differently. Head to Coral Bay Beach or the lookout at the end of Coral Bay Road to enjoy the spectacular colours of a Ningaloo sunset.
Did you know?
- Travel around 1,125 km north of Perth and you will reach Coral Bay.
- A settlement of fishermen’s shacks began to appear by the 1930s. They became known as Bill’s Bay.
- Formal settlement began at Bill’s Bay in 1968 with the construction of a caravan park, service station and a hotel called the Coral Bay Hotel.
- The town underwent a name change in the late 60s from Bill’s Bay to Coral Bay. Before that, it was officially named Maud’s Landing in 1915, after the schooner Maud.
- The holiday resort is tiny. But it does have a supermarket, a minimart, a couple of hotels and caravan parks, and several cafes and restaurants for food and drink. At least you won’t have to drive the 140 km to Exmouth for bread and milk!
Are you searching for paradise and a holiday destination to unplug from the real world? Exmouth and Coral Bay, two of the most picturesque places on earth – tick both boxes. Both stunning coastal towns enjoy a much slower pace of life. Some might even say they are the definition of sleepy. But we like it like that. And we think you will, too.
Read our recommendations for the best things to see and do in Exmouth and Ningaloo if you need some inspiration for your upcoming trip. We have a range of Exmouth accommodation options if you haven’t yet booked a place to stay. There are family-friendly self-contained chalets, luxury spa chalets and park homes. We also have camping and caravan sites available. So, something for everyone. Look at the different types of accommodation we offer and book your stay with Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort.