ningaloo coral bay tours

+ 61 (8) 9942 5885

MARINE WILDLIFE TOURS IN CORAL BAY

Experience the best of the Ningaloo Reef & join us to swim with whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays & much more! Let us show you why the Ningaloo is Australia's best kept secret!

+ 61 428 998 860

Coral Bay Ecotours respectfully acknowledges the Baiyungu people as the traditional owners of the Coral Bay area and surrounds.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Whale Shark Safari

Swim with Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale Safari

Swim with Manta Rays

Marine Eco Safari

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

1 Hour Coral Viewing

2 Hr Snorkel & Coral View

3 Hr Turtle Ecotour

Private Charters

'NGARRARI YINHAYA BAIYUNGU’

'this country is baiyungu'.

Join Hazel to see this country through the eyes of its first people. Journey with Hazel along the road less travelled. Visit pristine beaches, untouched reefs, even a turtle nursery. Explore hidden locations along the Ningaloo coast with your Bayungu guide. Discover culturally significant places and hear the stories connected to them. See a side of Ningaloo coast rarely experienced by visitors as BAIYUNGU DREAMING take you on a tagalong tour through this spectacular World Heritage Listed location.

​whale watching, snorkelling tours and more in ningaloo reef’s coral bay.

If you’re looking for an experience to remember at the Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay Ecotours’ marine activities are sure to impress! There are some incredible encounters you can have with the reef’s diverse wildlife, whether you want something as thrilling as going for a swim with Ningaloo Reef’s whale sharks or prefer more relaxing activities like whale watching and snorkelling tours. Coral Bay Ecotours has packages to suit the whole family!

THE BEST TIME FOR CORAL BAY’S WHALE WATCHING AND WHALE SHARK TOURS

Ningaloo’s whale shark season is between March and June. During this four-month period, the migrating whale sharks inhabit Australian waters due to the reef’s annual coral spawning. This amazing event transforms the pristine coastal waters from Exmouth to Coral Bay into colourful clouds. The coral spawning attracts the whale sharks’ favourite foods, krill and plankton, which in turn draws the whale sharks to the Ningaloo Reef.

Coral Bay Ecotours offers swimming with whale sharks for confident swimmers. We include wetsuit and snorkel gear, as well as optional extras such as photo/video footage of your experience (at an additional cost).

If you prefer admiring wildlife from afar, we also have whale watching tours as Coral Bay is part of the migration path for several kinds of whales. Tours are best booked between July and October when the whales are migrating to Australia’s warmer waters to birth and raise their calves. Seeing these gentle giants leap and dive through the water and waving their huge tails is an awe-inspiring experience thanks to their size and playfulness. The most commonly seen animal during our whale watching tours is the humpback whale , but observant visitors might also spot other whales diving and jumping like minkes, southern rights, and orcas. There are also chances to see other intelligent marine animals like turtles, dolphins and manta rays .

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF NINGALOO REEF WITH CORAL BAY’S BEST TOURS

Be spellbound by the beauty of the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours and create memories that will last you a lifetime. Enjoy unique experiences with majestic animals (both native to or visiting Australia), whether it’s from inside a glass bottom boat , during one of our snorkelling tours, or while swimming with whale sharks. Tours sell out quickly during Ningaloo’s whale shark season, so Coral Bay Ecotours recommends booking as early as possible. Contact us through our website , email [email protected] , or call (08) 9942 5885 to dive into your next adventure!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Call today to book your Ningaloo Reef experience: 1800 197 194 or BOOK NOW

Luxurious Overnight Sailing Adventure at Ningaloo Reef

Professional boutique snorkeling and diving experience. discover the magic., snorkel & dive getaway, ningaloo escape, ningaloo reef glamping, humpback whale safari package, ningaloo whale shark wonder week, ultimate ningaloo.

Ningaloo Reef

Reef sailing, snorkelling and diving tours aboard Shore Thing , a purpose built, Roger Hill designed and beautifully appointed live-aboard sailing catamaran, 51 feet in length and 27 feet in width.

Experience Ningaloo Reef

Dive into Ningaloo bliss aboard the luxurious sailing catamaran, Shore Thing. Explore vibrant coral teeming with life on breath-taking snorkelling and diving adventures. Relax on the spacious decks and unwind under starry skies, experiencing world-class comfort and eco-conscious exploration.

Join Sail Ningaloo, a fully accredited and award-winning operator, and discover the reef’s wonders responsibly. Our expertise and commitment to sustainability ensure an incredible experience that also protects this underwater paradise. More Information…

Luxury Sailing

Rest, unwind, and spoil yourself aboard Shore Thing, as you explore the extraordinary Ningaloo Reef, discovering remote reefs and dazzling underwater worlds. Savour freshly prepared gourmet meals served in the spacious saloon, or alfresco on the deck. Our expert crew provide personalised experiences for a maximum of 8 – 10 guests.

Book your unforgettable escape today!

Snorkelling & Diving

Experience the underwater magic of Ningaloo Reef, a World Heritage Site teeming with life. Ningaloo boasts a mind-boggling variety of fish, turtles, graceful manta rays, unusual critters and colourful coral formations, making every dive or snorkel an unforgettable adventure. Whilst cruising, encounter majestic humpback whales, playful dolphins and shy dugongs.

Ningaloo Reef awaits! Pack your sense of adventure and immerse yourself in a world of natural beauty beyond compare.

Voted the #1 snorkelling holiday destination in Australia by Australian Geographic

Our favourite spots

Join us in experiencing the very best Ningaloo has to offer. We not only visit some of the more well-known spots of Ningaloo Reef but we also visit some of the lesser-known spots that will blow your mind. Experience Ningaloo Reef in style. Book Now!

• Norwegian Bay
• The Fin Shipwreck
• Point Coates
• Holey Moley
• Chabjuwardoo Bay
• Stanley Pool
• Bateman Bay
• Maud's Landing
• Five Fingers Reef

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Quick Links

• 1800 197 194
• +61 458 822 895
• Send us an email

We craft unforgettable journeys that deeply connect our guests with the wonders of nature. Through immersive experiences and engaging interactions, we foster understanding and appreciation for the reef environment whilst upholding the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.

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Top 7 Coral Bay Tours: Unforgettable Experiences To Enjoy Everything The Ningaloo Has To Offer!

Coral Bay is a small town in Western Australia, famous for having the world-famous Ningaloo Reef on its coast. As such, most Coral Bay tours will involve sailing, snorkelling, and other water-based activities.

Here, you can swim with manta rays and turtles year-round. And, depending on the season, you can swim with whale sharks and/or humpback whales too.

No wonder why it’s such a popular tourist spot! It’s a little slice of paradise.

Regardless of which Coral Bay tour you choose, the key is to book it as soon as possible. There are very few tour operators there, so spots will fill quicker than usual.

With that said, here are our top 7 tours in Coral Bay. They range from snorkelling to quad biking, and everything in between:

Table of Contents

In a hurry here are the top 3 coral bay tours:, 7 best coral bay tours.

Coral Bay is an expensive town, as its economy is solely based on tourism. And some of these experiences aren’t cheap.

That’s why some of the tours included have the lowest price guarantee and a “reserve now, pay later” feature. That way, you can secure your spot for free and pay for it a few weeks before the tour date:

1) Whale Shark tour (full-day)

This tour is available during whale shark season – between March and September. It’s a full-day tour, lasting around 8 to 9 hours.

It’s one of the best tours in Coral Bay , as it shows everything this side of the reef has to offer.

Apart from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of swimming with whale sharks in the outer reef, you’ll do a few snorkelling sessions at a few different sites.

You’ll be able to swim with all kinds of marine life – reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and tonnes of colourful fish. What a way to scratch this bucket-list experience!

2) Humpback Whale tour (full-day)

If you’ll visit Coral Bay between June and October , don’t miss this opportunity! Much like whale sharks, humpback whales migrate through these coasts each year, and you can swim with them during your stay.

Now, some people just want to go whale watching, not so much swimming with these gentle giants. If that’s you, this tour operator also offers the opportunity to watch them from the boat.

3) Manta ray tour (full-day)

You can’t say you went to Coral Bay without swimming at least once with the graceful manta rays.

These are some of the permanent residents of the Ningaloo Reef . This tour will take you swimming with them in Bateman’s Bay, with the help of a spotter plane.

Your guides will also take you to the turtle sanctuary, where you can observe them swimming around the coral gardens.

4) Snorkelling tours of 1, 2, and 3 hours (swim with turtles!)

This operator offers snorkelling tours of different durations, which is perfect if you want to plan your own itinerary. You can string one of these snorkelling tours and other ones for a mindblowing Coral Bay visit.

As for these snorkelling tours, they are all in a glass-bottom boat. You’ll watch turtles swimming under you, hundreds of fish feeding, and all the wildlife that resides in this reef.

Apart from the expert commentary, the guides will also take you to one or two incredible snorkelling sites, depending on the duration of the tour. The snorkel equipment is included. Learn more about them here:

• 1-hour snorkelling tour .
• 2-hour snorkelling tour .
• 3-hour turtle eco-tour .

5) Snorkel and quad bike tour (2-3 hours)

In Coral Bay, you can combine the thrill of riding a quad bike on the beach with the peace of coral viewing in one tour.

This operator offers tours where you can drive a quad over the soft sands of Coral Bay, and then jump in the water to snorkel Five Finger Reef.

You can also choose to just drive on the beach. Or even better – have a sunset drive. You’ll get the adrenaline rush either way!

6) Cruise the Ningaloo Reef Tour (6 days)

True ocean lovers will want to take their Coral Bay visit to the next level, sleeping out in the sea for 5 nights in the catamaran “Shore Thing”.

This luxury, small-group tour starts and ends in Coral Bay. An expert guide will be aboard, all meals are included, and there’s also kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving equipment. You’ll have everything to fully immerse yourself in the Ningaloo Reef (pun intended!)

You’ll be going from one snorkelling spot to the other, seeking out dolphins, dugongs, and whales. Not to mention watching the sun rise and set from the deck every day.

The experience ends with a manta ray tour and one final snorkel.

7) From Perth to Ningaloo Reef Tour (7 days)

For those who want to enjoy everything the Ningaloo Coast has to offer, but don’t want to waste energy planning, look no further.

This tour starts and ends in Perth and includes everything – transport, meals, accommodation, and an expert guide.

It will take you to all the main spots of this side of Western Australia, including:

• Kalbarri National Park (Nature’s Window, Kalbarri Skywalk , Z-Bend…).
• Monkey Mia.
• Eagle Bluff.
• Coral Bay (you’ll spend a full day here).
• Cape Range National Park .
• Turquoise Bay.

There will be tonnes of snorkelling and wildlife spotting. Plus, if you visit during humpback or whale shark season, you can do a megafauna tour during your visit to Exmouth !

Other things to do in Coral Bay

There are dozens of things to do in Coral Bay , most of them included in the tours above – i.e. scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming with whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, turtles…

And yes, most of these activities are paid. But there are many free things you can do here too! Like visiting the shark nursery, watching the turtles off Turtle Cliff, fishing, etc.

Keep reading: 10 fun and free things to do in Coral Bay

Whale shark and humpback whale seasons overlap in July . If you plan to visit in that month, there’s a really good chance you’ll see both of them! Now, tours to swim with these gentle giants are pricier in Coral Bay compared to Exmouth, but they’re worth every penny.

On that note, book all the tours you’d like to do as soon as you can. Coral Bay doesn’t have a wide variety of tour operators , meaning that spots will fill much faster compared to other tourist towns.

Also, we recommend stocking up before you go to Coral Bay. It’s a small village with some essential services, like a mini-mart, bakery, and post office, but not much else. And try bringing your drinking water too, you’ll be charged extra for it.

Did you know?

The Ningaloo Reef is a fringe reef, so it ‘fringes’ or abuts the beach. You can’t collect flora or fauna (including shells or coral).

Exmouth is another coastal town, just a 90-minute drive north of Coral Bay. There’s plenty to do there, including checking out the beautiful Cape Range National Park. Try to visit it if you can!

Learn More: 7 Awesome things to do in Exmouth

How many days should you spend in Coral Bay?

We recommend spending one or two days in Coral Bay. The town is small, so that’s plenty of time to snorkel and enjoy the surroundings.

In the best-case scenario, you can include this visit in your itinerary when visiting Exmouth .

What is the best time of year for Coral Bay?

The best time of year for Coral Bay is in winter, between June and August. The weather is amazing and it coincides with whale shark and humpback whale season.

However, accommodation prices tend to be higher. If you want to visit Coral Bay in a cheaper month, November may be your best bet.

Is Coral Bay or Exmouth better for snorkelling?

Coral Bay and Exmouth are both excellent for snorkelling, as these are on the coast of the Ningaloo Reef.

But if we had to choose, we’d pick Exmouth just because there are more beaches to snorkel from, compared to Coral Bay.

The bottom line

Coral Bay is a slice of paradise, with the Ningaloo Reef on its coastline. During your visit, you’ll get to snorkel its dense coral formations and see the wide variety of marine life that resides there.

There’s so much to do there, it will easily be the trip of a lifetime. But make sure to book ahead, regardless of which tours you want to do – spots fill very quickly!

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Our Essential Travel Toolkit

🤩 Trip.com – Consistently great accommodation and hotel deals.

🤩 Hostelworld – Looking for the cheapest accommodation? We especially love the “book now, pay later” feature.

🤩 Rentalcars.com – Best range, super easy to compare prices rental car and motorhome prices.

🤩 Viator.com – Easily book tours and experiences at the lowest rate. Great selection all over Australia.

🤩 Tripadvisor.com – Other than our website…😉 the best place to find things to do

🤩 Airalo – eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

🤩 Caravan RV Camping – Traveling Australia in a van, caravan or bus? Use our discount code “ saltandcharcoal ” to get $30 off any orders over $300.

Hi! We’re Chris and Bec, the two adventure-lovers behind Salt and Charcoal. We quit our jobs in 2020, to pursue the lifestyle of travelling and working remotely. We chose to dive into the unknown and prioritise experiences over material things… and it was the best decision we ever made! Now, we support others to build their dream life one step at a time. Come say hi on our socials :)

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Ningaloo Reef Whale Sharks

Our 2024 Whale Shark season has come to an end. But fear not! A new chapter awaits. Humpback whales now take centre stage. Join us for an intimate encounter with these magnificent creatures. Dive into their world, listen to their haunting songs, and witness their playful breaches. 

Book your humpback whale swim today at Ningaloo Reef Whale Sharks. 

Swimming alongside the biggest fish in the world is simply an incredible encounter you will always remember

Our dedicated crew are passionate about the conservation and research of the mystical creatures of the deep with our aim being your safety first and your time spent in the water swimming with these beautiful creatures.

This full day tour starts at 7:20, meeting in the dive shop to check in and collect all your snorkelling equipment for the day – including a full length wetsuit! We then take a 5 minute drive down to the jetty on our new, air-conditioned buses where we then embark one of our two fit-for-purpose vessels, each with ample room on the covered main deck to comfortably sit, move around and sight see as we cruise out to the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef.

Our first stop on the water is a guided snorkel at a beautiful coral garden area on the reef where you get the chance to see up to 250 species of corals and such marine life as colourful fish, sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, cuttlefish, reef sharks, amongst many many others! Once everyone is back aboard you can indulge in some morning tea as we head outside the reef in search for a whale shark! The pilot of our dedicated spotter plane will coordinate directly with our skipper to get you in the best position possible to see a whale shark. If we find a whale shark, you will have a chance to get in the water and swim alongside them.

Once back inside the reef, a delicious buffet lunch will be served. While you enjoy your lunch, we will begin cruising back toward Coral Bay as we endeavour to find as much marine life in the water as possible for your sight-seeing pleasure. The Ningaloo is host to many incredible animals that you may get the chance to view from the boat on this tour, such as dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, sting rays, sharks and whales!

In the afternoon we will go for another snorkel at yet another beautiful reef location if time permits.

This tour generally returns to Coral Bay between 4:30pm – 5:30pm but this can vary depending on the conditions of the day.

9 Hours (approximately)

What is included

• All equipment rental, including a full-length wetsuit, included in price
• All parks fees included
• All staff are highly trained dive masters, instructors or bronze medallionists
• This tour includes a morning snorkel on a beautiful coral garden and an afternoon snorkel if time permits
• Our onboard photographer provides you the opportunity to purchase your whale shark experience via a dropbox link! The ideal way to keep your memories forever.

Additional Information

Please keep in mind that our dealing with wild animals in their natural environment are not predictable. Our commitment to you is that our crew will make every possible effort to ensure that you have the best experience possible, however we can not guarantee that we will see all or any of the wildlife mentioned.

Check out Coral Bays newest tour

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21 Wahoo Court, Coral Bay, WA 6701

Ningaloo Dreaming | On the Coral Bay Oceanfront | Blue Chip Lifestyle, Investment & Income

Property details, floorplans and tours.

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DIVING TOURS

Experience the unique opportunity to snorkel up close with manta rays, and scuba dive or snorkel in coral bay, wa.

Come experience the best of the Ningaloo Reef on this adventurous deeper dive on the outer parts of the reef. Our highly skilled skipper and crew know the best spots on the reef to show a totally different side of Ningaloo.

• MOST POPULAR TOUR
• Hour Glass Full Day
• User (Adult) Ages 16+ , (Child) Ages 5 - 15

NINGALOO ADVENTURE AND MANTA RAY TOUR FULL DAY

This full day tour takes you around to the most spectacular locations! We take both divers and snorkelers together on board this day tour!

• Hour Glass Half Day

NINGALOO ADVENTURE AND MANTA RAY TOUR - HALF DAY

The half day tour meets at 8:00am and returns around 1:30pm. This tour begins in our dive shop where we provide you with all the gear you need such as mask, snorkel, fins, and a full length wetsuit for snorkeling as well as BCD, regulators if you are diving.

• User Ages 14+

NINGALOO DIVE ADVENTURE

The Ningaloo Reef is approximately 260km long and is one of the largest fringing reefs in the world! It supports an abundance of fish (500 species), hard and soft corals (300 species), molluscs (600 species) and many other invertebrates.

Sunset Cruise

A sunset cruise is a time to smile, laugh, eat, drink and be happy. on our cruise, you will be inspired by a magical sunset over the indian ocean., bring your favourite drink and enjoy a complimentary grazing platter while you keep an eye out for some of the incredible wildlife that calls the ningaloo reef home..

Enjoy the company of our friendly and knowledgeable crew while soaking in the beauty of the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef. Our tri-hull catamaran ‘Ningaloo’ offers plenty of space for you sit back, relax and enjoy yourself as the sun slips over the horizon.

The Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest biological structures in the world and is home to 69 species currently listed on the IUCN’s red list of threatened species. We are incredibly passionate about the reef and the creatures that live here and are dedicated to protecting it. The crew will be more than happy to share their knowledge of the reef with you and show you just how special this place really is.

Departs at approximately 4.00pm, returns approximately 6.00pm

Pricing effective to 31/03/2025*

Adults: $95.00 Senior: $90.00

* Prices subject to change from 01/04/25

Our mission is to provide environmentally friendly, sustainable, and informative Ningaloo Reef experiences for our guests. To share our passion and knowledge of the World Heritage Listed reef and ensure the protection of this delicate ecosystem and its abundant marine life for the future.

Places to stay

Choose from our range of accommodation to suit your needs and budget.

Accomodation

Backpackers

“great place, great excursion”.

Very nice and satisfying excursion with attentive and knowledgeabel guide Tegan, hard working fotographer Tom and captain sir Scott today. Lucky with the weather as well. One of the best experiences in my life!

Trip Advisor user moniek_zijdemans

Accommodation & Bay Camp