Coral Bay
Just three hours drive north of Carnarvon, you should be forgiven for thinking you've arrived in paradise.
Coral Bay is a small settlement hugging the pristine azure ocean with its white sandy beaches, hides an extra special secret. Just meters from the shoreline, you'll find the Ningaloo Reef. There aren't many places in the world where a fringed reef is literally steps away from the beach, so while you're in Coral Bay, make the most of this unique opportunity to explore the natural, unspoilt underwater world on your doorstep.
There are plenty of ways to pass the day in Coral Bay. It's a special place, with a laid-back vibe that draws visitors from all around the world, keen to de-stress and connect with a slower, more natural pace of life. Go snorkelling at Bill's Bay, a calm oasis filled with colourful reef fish (it's a santuary zone so there's no fishing allowed). You can hire gear from numerous local tour operators, and even if it's your first time with fins and snorkel, you'll never forget teeming underwater scenes you'll witness.
It's not all about the ocean however. Landlubbers, you can explore the hinterland on bike bike tours, discovering bush tracks, wildlife and dunes around the bay. If you've arrived with your own 4WD, then using Coral Bay as a base to explore nearby off-the-beaten track destinations is a must. Make time to discover Five Finger Reef and the Turtle Cliffs. If you'd like to be shown around by a tour guide, join a Coastal Adventure Tours Quad Bike tour. They'll share their local knowledge with you as you drive well-maintained specially designed two-seater quad bikes. be prepared for stunning sunsets and snorkeling with nobody by fish for company and turtles as companions.
