Shark Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site on the west coast of Western Australia: wild dolphins come to the beach at Monkey Mia in the morning, one beach is made entirely of shells, and Hamelin Pool is home to some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
Shark Bay is off the North West Coastal Highway, about a nine-hour drive from Perth. Denham is the only larger town. Without a car the region is hard to explore; Cape Peron is only reachable by 4WD or on a tour.
The climate is dry and warm all year. Winter is pleasant; summer is hot and windy. The dolphins come to Monkey Mia every morning all year.
A campsite by the lagoon in François Peron National Park. Access only by 4WD with lowered tyre pressure.
Wild dolphins come to the beach in the morning, and rangers supervise the encounter in knee-deep water. Only rangers may feed them. Entry to the reserve costs money. Come early — the first visits are usually before noon.
A beach kilometres long made entirely of small white shells instead of sand. The water is very salty — you almost float on your own. During the day the beach shines especially white.
Hamelin Pool is home to stromatolites — rock structures built by microorganisms and some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Only view them from the boardwalk. They're best seen at low tide.
Red cliffs, white sand and below them often sharks, rays and dugongs in the clear water. Only reachable by 4WD or on a tour. The colours are strongest in the late afternoon.
A boardwalk above the cliff, from where you see sharks and rays in the shallows. The water is clearest when there's no wind, best in the morning. Free.
The only larger town on the peninsula, with a supermarket, petrol station and visitor centre. This is where you stock up on supplies, water and fuel.
In the morning, usually before noon. Rangers supervise the encounter, and only they may feed them.
Rock structures built by microorganisms — some of the oldest life forms on Earth. You see them at Hamelin Pool from the boardwalk.
For Cape Peron and the campsites in François Peron National Park, yes. Monkey Mia, Shell Beach and Eagle Bluff are reachable by normal car.
All spots on the Shark Bay map. Nearby: Perth to the south and Exmouth and Ningaloo to the north.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.