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Wildlife Region

Ningaloo & Exmouth

Ningaloo & Exmouth

Fringing the North West Cape coastline, Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s largest and most magnificent fringing coral reefs. This intricate reef system stretches over 260 km and at some points, is only metres from beautiful secluded sandy beaches.

The Reef is home to a myriad of marine life, including one of the rarest, and largest fish ever found, the Whale Shark. Up to 18 metres in length, Ningaloo is the only place in the world where visitors can swim with Whale Sharks from March to October everyday, when the plankton rich waters draw them close to the reef in search of food.

They are only one of the many seasonal visitors to the Ningaloo Reef. Humpback Whales are also in abundance, with over thirty thousand whales migrating to the area. Calving & resting whales take advantage of sheltered warm waters in their masses with Humpback swims occurring from August to late September.

Manta Rays cruise along the reef, April to November, feeding alongside Whale Sharks & whales, your opportunity to see the big three. In late Autumn, turtles are seen in huge numbers, with the Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles beginning their mating season and climbing enmass the beaches, nesting everywhere along our coastline. Hot January nights will see Turtle hatchlings bustlling out of the sand racing down to the ocean every evening. 

With the bio-diversity of 300 species of corals, an assortment of uniquely coloured Nudibranchs and over 500 different species of fish makes Exmouth an impressive destination all year round.

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Quick facts

  • Ningaloo is the world’s largest fringing coral reef
  • Whale Sharks migrate to the area with swims occurring from March to October
  • Over thirty thousand Humpbacks Whales migrate to the area with swimming with Humpbacks occurring from August to late September
  • Key nesting area for three species of turtle and breeding region for Manta Rays, Dugongs and Dolphins
  • More than 300 species of corals and over 500 different species of fish can be observed

Experiences

Featured operator

  • Featured operator

    Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours

    Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours was founded by Roger Smith and Janine Duffy in 1993, with the vision to bring people and wildlife together for mutual benefit.  

    The team believes that observing and connecting with wildlife is a key element in enriching the lives for people of all backgrounds; whether this interaction is for pleasure, new experiences and learning, for connection to the land or the basic needs for humans to breathe clean air and drink clean water via healthy ecosystems.  

    Increasingly, wildlife needs people too, as climate change...

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  • Featured operator

    Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo

    As the region’s original eco-tourism operation, Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo is synonymous with experiencing the aquatic treasures of the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Debbie & Mark Ferguson have been involved taking ecotours around Western Australia for over 20 years, managing the operations of a number of boats in various locations.

    Fuelled by their passion for the ocean, above & below the surface, the couple have travelled the world, enjoying the wildlife and marine life on every continent. But it was the unparalled megafauna...

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