Ningaloo Reef is World Heritage-listed and starts right at the beach: here you swim with whale sharks, drift over corals while snorkelling and see manta rays in Coral Bay. Exmouth is the base. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
You reach Exmouth by plane via Learmonth or by car — about 13 hours from Perth. Coral Bay is an hour and a half south. For Cape Range National Park with Turquoise Bay you need a car; tours pick you up in town.
Whale sharks come roughly from March to August, with humpback whales too from July to October. From March to October the weather is pleasant. Summer is very hot, and cyclones can occur.
A two-storey backpacker hostel with a pool in town. You book whale shark and reef tours right at reception.
A national park campground right by the reef in Cape Range National Park. Sites are in high demand — book early through Park Stay WA.
The reef is right off the beach — famous for the drift snorkel: you get in at the southern end and let the current carry you north over the corals. Not for weak swimmers — read the warning below and get out in time.
Safety: A moderate to strong current pulls through a gap in the reef here, and there are no lifeguards. Not for weak swimmers — never alone, and get out of the water in good time before the northern tip of the beach.
At Ningaloo Reef you swim with whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world — the best-known place in the world to do it. Only with licensed tours. From July to October you'll also see humpback whales.
A small town where the reef starts right at the beach. You see manta rays here all year. About an hour and a half south of Exmouth.
A gorge with red walls in Cape Range National Park, home to rock wallabies. Boat trips or a short walk; park pass required. Best in the morning.
The lighthouse on the hill looks out over North West Cape. Most beautiful at sunset; in winter you can spot whales from up here.
Day tours from Exmouth with snorkelling on the reef and swimming with whale sharks, season roughly March to July. Expensive, but for many the highlight of the trip.
A laundromat in Exmouth — handy after days in a tent.
Roughly from March to August, ideally with a licensed tour from Exmouth or Coral Bay.
For weak swimmers, yes. The current is moderate to strong and there are no lifeguards. Never alone, and get out of the water in time.
In Coral Bay, all year, ideally on a boat tour.
All spots on the Exmouth & Ningaloo map. Nearby: Shark Bay to the south and Broome to the north.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.