17 September 2022 by admin

Cover photo: Coral Bay. Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia

If you are in the middle of planning an Exmouth escape with the family, you might be wondering what activities there are to keep the kids interested and entertained. Exmouth is a family-friendly place and a must-visit for nature-loving families. You will find lots of exciting things to do with younger family members to ensure they won’t get bored. Read on to discover our suggestions for fun things to do with kids in Exmouth, Western Australia.

Visit the Jurabi Turtle Centre

A visit to the Jurabi Turtle Centre is fun for all the family and an opportunity to learn about the sea turtles inhabiting the local area. The activity is free, and the Interpretive Centre on Yardie Creek Road is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day. If you’re in Exmouth between December and March, we highly recommend booking a nighttime guided interaction tour to see nesting turtles and hatchlings in their natural habitat. Fees apply for guided tours which typically last between three to four hours. The nighttime guided tours aren’t suitable for children under eight. Get in touch with the Ningaloo Visitor Centre for prices and tour dates.

Take a glass bottom boat tour

Experience the incredible World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef on a glass bottom boat tour. Adventure awaits as you take to the water for an unforgettable trip to see the aquatic landscape of the reef. You will be able to experience an immersive view of Exmouth’s spectacular marine life and coral formations that will blow your mind. Your tour operator’s experienced and knowledgeable staff will enhance the experience by giving an informative talk about the Ningaloo Reef and the many different corals and fish you are likely to encounter. On a glass bottom boat tour, you will be in awe of the diversity of the Ningaloo Reef’s ecosystems, home to more than 500 fish species and over 250 species of coral. Tours usually last one hour, and you may also spot turtles and manta rays too. Local tour operators include View Ningaloo and Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat Tours. Slightly further afield, Coral Bay Eco Tours operates tours out of Coral Bay.

Hire a kayak or stand up paddle board

Exmouth is so much fun for adventure-mad kids. And especially kids who enjoy water-based activities. The crystal-clear turquoise water and warm temperatures of the Ningaloo Reef make activities like kayaking and stand up paddle boarding accessible all year round. Take a SUP tour or book a lesson with Exmouth Surf Centre. SUP boards to suit all ages and levels are available to hire. Exmouth Adventure Company also offers a range of kayaks and stand up paddle boards for hire. 

Snorkel the Ningaloo Reef

Snorkelling the Ningaloo Reef is a fantastic activity all the family can enjoy. People of all ages visit Exmouth to experience the beautiful UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing coral reef in the world. The clear, blue warm water of the Indian Ocean on the Ningaloo Coast delivers some of the best snorkelling spots in Western Australia, many of which are in Cape Range National Park in Exmouth. Turquoise Bay, voted the best beach in Australia in the 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards, is one of our favourite spots. Turquoise Bay also made their list of the best beaches in the world, achieving an impressive third place. It is a great snorkel spot teaming with marine life, including fish, turtles, and even small black tip reef sharks and white tip reef sharks. If Turquoise Bay is too busy – as it often is – head to Lakeside Beach or Bundegi Beach. These two beaches are calm and sheltered for snorkelling and swimming. Should you need to rent snorkelling equipment, you can hire snorkels and fins from the Milyering Discovery Centre. 

Take a day trip to Coral Bay

The small town of Coral Bay is less than a two-hour drive from Exmouth. So, if you’re planning an extended stay in Exmouth, a day trip to Coral Bay is well worth adding to your itinerary. Coral Bay is an idyllic coastal town, quieter and more laid-back than Exmouth. Like Exmouth, it’s a slice of paradise, known for its white sandy beaches and safe, accessible turquoise water. Around a 20-minute walk north of the main beach in Coral Bay is the Coral Bay Reef Shark Nursery. Located in the northern part of Bill’s Bay, between September and March, you’re likely to see small, black tip reef sharks swimming in the shallow waters close to shore. The waters here are protected, and you’re not allowed to swim here. But it’s fun to sit in the sand dunes and do some shark spotting.

Head to Yardie Creek and take a boat tour

Head to the Yardie Creek boat ramp and board the “Yardi” for a relaxing cruise along Yardie Creek in Cape Range National Park. Take in the stunning views of the ancient Yardie Creek Gorge and look out for unique local wildlife, like rare black-footed rock wallabies and sea ospreys. One of the top-rated tours in Exmouth, it’s an informative and entertaining hour-long tour and fun for the whole family. Visit Yardie Creek Boat Tours website for more information.

Visit the Ningaloo Visitor Centre and Aquarium

Spend some time learning about Exmouth by visiting the Ningaloo Visitor Centre, which is a short walk across the road from the Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort. The state-of-the-art centre is well worth a visit on rainy days when you need to keep the kids (and adults) entertained. Friendly, knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer your questions about the area, and there’s a café if you feel like a bite to eat. The Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre, located right next door, is the go-to place to find out more about the Ningaloo Reef – and you won’t even have to get your feet wet! Home to a 55,000-litre tank, the aquarium is one of Exmouth’s most popular attractions. Don’t miss the chance to meet some of the Ningaloo Reef’s incredible marine life.

Exmouth is a fantastic holiday destination for all ages. There’s so much to enjoy and discover, whether you’re here for a week or longer. To learn more about the family-friendly activities awaiting you in Exmouth, on our website you will find our recommendations for the best things to see and do in Exmouth and Ningaloo.