Ningaloo Reef: the coral reef close to shore

When people think about snorkelling or diving in Australia, attention often goes straight to the Great Barrier Reef. Yet there's a place that many travellers find at least as impressive: Ningaloo Reef.

This gigantic coral reef lies on the west coast of Australia, between Exmouth and Coral Bay, and is one of the country's most beautiful natural areas. What makes Ningaloo Reef special is that the reef is accessible directly from the beach in many places. Where you often need a boat trip at the Great Barrier Reef, here you can sometimes swim among colourful corals, tropical fish, turtles and even reef sharks within just a few minutes.

For many travellers, Ningaloo Reef is the absolute highlight of a road trip along Australia's west coast.

What makes Ningaloo Reef special?

Ningaloo Reef stretches over 260 kilometres and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The reef is one of the largest and best-preserved coral reefs in the world.

What makes Ningaloo unique is its accessibility. In many spots, you simply need to put on your snorkel and walk into the water to find yourself immediately amongst the marine life.

In addition, Ningaloo is considerably quieter than many other well-known reef destinations. The combination of crystal-clear water, stunning beaches and relatively few visitors creates a relaxed atmosphere that fits perfectly with a road trip through Western Australia.

Exmouth or Coral Bay?

The two main places from which you can visit Ningaloo Reef are Exmouth and Coral Bay.

Exmouth is the largest town in the region and sits on the northern side of the reef. From here you have access to Cape Range National Park, beautiful snorkelling spots and most tours. Virtually all whale shark, manta ray and humpback whale tours depart from Exmouth. On top of that, the town itself is really enjoyable to visit with nice cafés, restaurants and various pubs. The ideal place to stay for 2 to 5 nights.

Coral Bay is located approximately 150 kilometres south of Exmouth and feels considerably smaller and quieter. The major advantage of Coral Bay is that the reef is literally on your doorstep. You walk straight into the water from the beach and can immediately snorkel amongst the coral.

Personally, I think Coral Bay is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Australia. During my road trip along the west coast, I spent several days here. The combination of white sand, turquoise water and the reef within walking distance makes it a fantastic spot. In the evening you can enjoy a nice bite to eat or drink at Bill's Bar to complete your day.

Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef

For many travellers, snorkelling is the reason to visit Ningaloo Reef.

The clear water often provides excellent visibility and the amount of marine life is impressive. During a snorkelling session you might encounter:

• Turtles
• Stingrays
• Reef sharks
• Parrotfish
• Lionfish
• Large schools of tropical fish

Well-known snorkelling spots include Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks and Lakeside in Cape Range National Park.

Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay is often mentioned as one of Australia's most beautiful beaches. The water here has an almost surreal blue colour and beautiful coral lies directly off the coast.

The famous drift snorkel here is an absolute must-do. You let yourself drift gently with the current while enjoying the reef beneath you.

Swimming with whale sharks

Perhaps the most extraordinary activity at Ningaloo Reef is swimming with whale sharks. Between roughly March and August, these gentle giants migrate through the waters of Ningaloo. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are completely harmless to humans.

For many travellers, this is a unique bucket-list experience and one of the most impressive wildlife encounters you can have in Australia. Whilst the tours aren't cheap, virtually all visitors find the experience worth every dollar.

Travelling outside whale shark season? Don't worry, there's still plenty to experience.

Between May and November you can regularly encounter manta rays, and from roughly June to October thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of Western Australia. During this period, various whale watching tours are organised from Exmouth.

Cape Range National Park

A visit to Ningaloo Reef often goes hand in hand with a visit to Cape Range National Park. This national park lies directly next to the reef and consists of rugged gorges, red rocks and spectacular coastal landscapes. One of the best-known spots is Yardie Creek, where you can walk or take a boat trip between the steep cliffs. The combination of ocean and outback makes Cape Range National Park unique in Australia.

From Exmouth, you'll drive to the national park in approximately 45 minutes. You don't need a 4WD for the main destinations within the park. However, if you want to seek out the more remote spots, this isn't possible with a Campervan and you'll need to hire a 4WD or book an excursion. The latter can be done with Ningaloo Safari Tours or Exmouth Adventure Co, among others.

Camping with a motorhome at Ningaloo Reef

Travelling by Campervan through Australia, Ningaloo Reef is a fantastic destination.

In Exmouth you'll find various campsites and holiday parks with good facilities. Additionally, there are several beautiful campsites right on the beach in Cape Range National Park. These spots are among the most stunning Campervan locations in Australia. Waking up with a view of the ocean and then walking straight into the water to snorkel is completely normal here.

Do keep in mind that campsites in Cape Range National Park are very popular and often book out months in advance. It's also worth checking beforehand which campsites are accessible with a Campervan.

See 'Campgrounds in Australia' for more information

How long do you need for Ningaloo Reef?

This depends a bit on which places you want to visit. Exmouth is a fantastic place where you can easily spend 2 to 5 days, depending on the time you have during your roadtrip through Western Australia. If you also want to visit Coral Bay then 2 to 3 days is enough for Exmouth to then also spend 2 days in Coral Bay.

This gives you enough time to snorkel, visit Cape Range National Park and do any tours.