Ningaloo Marine Park
Ningaloo Marine Park
5
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5.0
134 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
8
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0
Poor
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Terrible
0
Simon T
Perth, Australia184 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Ningaloo Reef and world heritage listed Marine Park in a sense is the poor cousin of the Great Barrier Reef. But only in the sense that most tourists have never heard of it and there is far less tourism infrastructure and visitors as a result. In other ways it is superior and is my favourite of the two. It is "only" 260 km's long but is a fringing reef. That is you can literally walk on to it from any of the many pristine pink sand beaches running up the coast. By the time you are waste deep you will be amongst the turtles, painted crayfish and an abundance of corals and reef fish. A little further out and still in shallow water come the mantas and, in season, whale sharks and humpback whales.
The weather is pretty good all year round but the southern hemisphere autumn and winter (April to September) is the prime time.
On my most recent trip here (last week) the coral had just spawned meaning visibility was poor but there was life a plenty.
The area has large sanctuary zones but also many areas where you are allowed to fish (marlin, sailfish and other game and eating fish are abundant). Outside the park and reserves you can spearfish.
I have travelled and scuba and free dived quite extensively including the Great Barrier Reef, Caribbean Sea, off east Africa, the Mediterranean, south east Asia and elsewhere and for me this is the best place for snorkelling. The combination of easy access and the abundance of marine life is the key. In less than 5 metres of water we saw lion fish, reef sharks, turtles, giant potato cod and much more and that was perfectly normal.
The weather is pretty good all year round but the southern hemisphere autumn and winter (April to September) is the prime time.
On my most recent trip here (last week) the coral had just spawned meaning visibility was poor but there was life a plenty.
The area has large sanctuary zones but also many areas where you are allowed to fish (marlin, sailfish and other game and eating fish are abundant). Outside the park and reserves you can spearfish.
I have travelled and scuba and free dived quite extensively including the Great Barrier Reef, Caribbean Sea, off east Africa, the Mediterranean, south east Asia and elsewhere and for me this is the best place for snorkelling. The combination of easy access and the abundance of marine life is the key. In less than 5 metres of water we saw lion fish, reef sharks, turtles, giant potato cod and much more and that was perfectly normal.
Written 7 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie1958594
Sydney, Australia380 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Words do not do it justice.
A place of outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity , that hasn’t been spoiled yet by humans.
No matter what time of year there is an abundance of sea life, and depending when you come you will see turtles, dolphins, manta rays, whales and the daddy of them all, the whale shark.
Remote but then that is probably why the Reef is still healthy.
A place of outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity , that hasn’t been spoiled yet by humans.
No matter what time of year there is an abundance of sea life, and depending when you come you will see turtles, dolphins, manta rays, whales and the daddy of them all, the whale shark.
Remote but then that is probably why the Reef is still healthy.
Written 13 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve
Canberra, Australia44 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Spent a number of days exploring the Ningaloo Reef. Swimming with the whale sharks off the coast at Exmouth was a highlight. Turquoise Bay is a must do. We were joined by a turtle during our snorkel there. Lots of coral features to snorkel above with plenty of fish to view. Swam with a very big loggerhead turtle and manta rays off Coral bay. Another excellent day on the water.
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kirsten o
15 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Exmouth, Yardie Creek and Ningaloo seem so barren at first but there is so much life and colour to explore. Depending on time of year book a whaleshark/manta ray/eco tour first thing and once you've had that experience try all the different spots to go snorkelling. You can hire cars/ campervans and snorkel gear locally, and if you are staying a few days get a multi-day national park pass to save time and money.
Written 22 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian L
Perth, Western Australia, Australia24 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Ningaloo Marine Park has got to be one of the foremost natural marine attractions anywhere in Australia, and one of the world's best. It offers a whole range of interactions for people with all levels of expertise. It's main difference to its nearest competitor, the larger "Great barrier reef" on the sunrise side of Oz is its proximity to the coastline, in several places actually coming right to the coastline. No need to spend an hour or two getting to see it, there are places that you can snorkel from the beach directly onto hundreds of hectares of coral, along with all of the marine creatures that inhabit it. Even at its most distant from the coast, it is perhaps 5 miles, The reef runs along the coast for about 300km, but there are only 2 towns along its entire length, Coral Bay (which is little more than two caravan parks (which include some "resort" style accomadation, a few boating and land based activities and a couple of shops) and Exmouth, a fully serviced town a long wy from any other fully serviced town. Take some time to look the Park and the district up.
Written 17 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William H
Sydney, Australia92 contributions
July 2018 • Family
This stretch of Australia’s coast is extraordinary for its chance to interact with wildlife - whale sharks, humpedbacks, rays, coral, fish; turtles terrestrial animals Roos, emus, dingoes, bats. Turquoise bays, white sands, outback landscapes and spectacular sunsets, etc Etc. The National Parks authority does superb job of protecting these valuable resources but also providing access for all ages and abilities.
Written 8 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
natdingdong
Sydney, Australia35 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Spent two nights camping at Osprey Bay. There was a lovely lady named Robyn who was the campsite host while we were there and she told us exactly where to swim off the shore to find the turtles. It was amazing. The drift snorkel off Turquise Bay is also a must for the strong swimmers. Lots of cool fish. Check the current and weather conditions first as it can become quite strong.
Would have booked longer in this park had time permitted. Great place.
Would have booked longer in this park had time permitted. Great place.
Written 30 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ozveildancer
Sydney, Australia233 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
BRILLIANT. Almost better than the great barrier reef. Hard Corals though. Not as many soft, but plenty of fish etc; And right out off the beach. Not two hours by boat. Would definitely return. Thoroughly enjoyed coral bay.
Written 25 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Sydney, Australia56 contributions
May 2015 • Family
Its not everywhere that you can dive into a crystal clear warm ocean and see abundant marine life and coral all within a few metres of the sand. To experience this doesn't mean that you have to be a great swimmer. Just wade out from the sand take a few strokes and you are amongst it. Coral, sharks, rays, fish, turtles etc. Its a great experience for all the family. We saw so much marine life at a place called Oyster Stacks near Exmouth within 20 metres of the rocks. When we visited some snorkelling spots off shore on the reef on a catamaran near Coral Bay we saw so much marine life. Don't miss out on visiting this special place!
Written 19 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara L
Coral Cove, Australia854 contributions
June 2022
We snorkelled the Oyster Stacks and it was like swimming in an aquarium. Lots of beautiful fish and coral and the water was so clear. Amazing!!
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Peter,
please let me know which cruise you took to see the Ningaloo Marine Park
Thanks!
Written 21 February 2023
Hi. I'm planning a trip to WA in Oct-Nov. I was wondering if it was possible to move around using only public tansportantion like the buses or if it necessary to rent a car. I mean, once I get to Coral Bay or Exmouth, do I then need to rent a car to get to the Ningaloo marine park, the Cape Range park, etc.
Thanks
Written 3 April 2017
You will definitely need to hire a car. Best plan is to fly to Learmonth Airport and hire a car there
Written 4 April 2017
what is your nearest airport please
Written 5 August 2016
The nearest regional airport is Learmonth. From overseas, you will more than likely fly to Perth International airport, then catch a domestic flight from Perth to Learmonth. You can arrange car hire or bus transfer prior to your arrival from Learmonth to your Ningaloo destination.
Written 6 August 2016
Is it possible to stay in Coral Bay and do a whale shark trip? The whale shark trips seem to leave from Exmouth. Is there a transfer from Coral Bay to Exmouth?
Written 22 May 2016
It is possible to do the whale shark trip from Coral Bay. There is a caravan park, cabins as well as motels so staying there is not a problem. Exmouth also has tours. We actually did the tour out of Ningaloo reef there is a small jetty where boats leave from save the trip from Exmouth. We used Live Ningaloo and they were excellent extremely professional and completely on the whales side! Which is what you want the whales are wild and should be disrupted as little as possible!
Written 23 May 2016
You can access the coral from the beach at Coral Bay for free and do some beautiful snorkelling. If you want to go on a boat trip, they range in price from approximately $50 to $450 per person depending on the activity. $50 would be a short coral viewing tour in a glass bottom boat and the higher endo would be a full day whaleshark trip.
Written 26 April 2015
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