Coral Coast & Ningaloo

Our guide to WA'sCoral Coast & Ningaloo

Free your spirit on the beautiful Coral Coast; where rolling red desert dunes collide with a turquoise ocean teeming with colourful underwater characters – including the world’s largest fish, The Whale Shark.

The Coral Coast’s main destinations to explore include Wildflower Country, Ningaloo, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Indian Ocean Drive and Shark Bay.

One of Western Australia’s best beaches, Turquoise Bay can be found in the Cape Range National Park, the perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing.

Here’s our pick of the best things to do in WA’s Coral Coast for the ultimate Coral Coast getaway.

Getting to the Coral Coast

Getting to the Coral Coast is easy; just 2 hours drive from Perth to Cervantes starts your journey exploring Australia’s Coral Coast. Virgin and Qantas offer flights to Learmonth (servicing Exmouth/Coral Bay) and Geraldton, while Regional Express offer flight to Monkey Mia and Carnarvon.  Excellent road conditions make it easy to travel around the Coral Coast for self-guided exploration and coach services are also available.

Top Things to See and Do in the Coral Coast

Swim with Whale Sharks

If swimming with Whale Sharks isn’t on your bucket list, then it should be. Join a whale shark watching or snorkelling tour from Exmouth or Coral Bay and experience the ultimate wildlife encounter. There are various tours available including Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours where you can observe the gentle giants of the ocean between mid-March and mid-July as they congregate in the Ningaloo Marine Park attracted to its plankton-enriched waters.

Snorkelling and Sailing

The best way to discover the Coral Coast is by water. Snorkelling the Ningaloo Reef is a must-do on the Coral Coast. You can hit the water and start snorkelling in Exmouth, Coral Bay and the Oceanside stations north of Carnarvon or join a tour and explore the outer coral gardens with tour operators such as Ningaloo Reef Dive & Snorkelling.

Sail the World Heritage Ningaloo Reef with Sail Ningaloo offering exclusive and personalised explorations of the pristine Ningaloo Reef onboard a luxury sailing catamaran.

Cape Range National Park

Located on west side of Exmouth, Cape Range National Park features spectacular rugged limestone ranges, deep canyons and pristine beaches just begging to be explored. Nature lovers will rejoice in the abundant wildlife including a variety of birds, emus and red kangaroos to spot. The beautifully unspoilt Cape Range National Park comes alive with wildflowers in winter and hundreds of species of spectacular plants to admire.

Best Places to Stay in the Coral Coast

Plan your Coral Coast getaway with a stay at a comfortable motel, hotel or luxury accommodation in the main towns of Exmouth, Geraldton, Cervantes and Coral Bay. Western Australia’s Coral Coast has accommodation to suit every style and budget.

Luxury Accommodation

Lose yourself in wild bush luxury at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef a beachside safari camp nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. For a unique stay, book Bullara Station’s self-contained cottages or Shearers Lodge, located between Coral Bay and Exmouth.

Alternatively, stay onboard Sail Ningaloo a luxury catamaran inclusive of meals, accommodation and personalised eco-tourism experiences exploring remote reef systems.

Hotels

Ningaloo Reef Resort offers self-contained apartment style accommodation surrounded by resort facilities and lush tropical gardens. The Gerald is a boutique hotel in Geraldton with a Rooftop Bar, onsite restaurant and rooms boasting ocean views.

Motels

Motels provide cheap accommodation in the Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Jurien Motel & Apartments offers contemporary Coral Coast accommodation just moments away from Jurien Bay Beach. Cervantes Pinnacles Motel offers comfortable accommodation and great base if you’re visiting the Pinnacles.

Where to Eat in the Coral Coast

Get your caffeine fix at The Short Order Local a quirky, family owned food truck serving up some of the regions best coffee. In Geraldton, try Salt Dish Café an inviting café with innovative cuisine and charming vintage décor. Head to Whalers Restaurant in Exmouth for fresh local seafood.

Tours and Packages Coral Coast

Western Australia’s Coral Coast offers a range of tours and packages to explore everything the region has to offer including Whale Shark Tours, see Monkey Mia Dolphins or Hike the Kalbarri. Coastal Adventure Tours offer eco-friendly tours that allow you to explore the Ningaloo Reef by land or by sea. Our ultimate escapes guide to Ningaloo Shark Bay our favourite tours and packages to explore the Coral Coast.