Diving Guide > Australia > Ningaloo Reef - Perth, Western Australia , Australia Scuba Diving Guide

Ningaloo Reef detail dive map

Australia overview map Ningaloo Reef is the longest fringing reef in the world. Starting from the small town of Exmouth, the reef extend southward all the way to Coral Bay which is about more than 260km away. The town of Exmouth is located some 1300km North of Perth Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is home to 500 species of fish, 250 species of corals and 600 species of molluscs. Green Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles and Hawksbill Turtle can be sigthed here. Green Turtles, in particular, nest in a number of sites along the coast that runs parallel to Ningaloo Reef during the nesting season. This reef offers tourists a chance to see many exotic creatures. Gentle and beautiful Dugongs are residents here and can often be seen feeding on the sea grasses that grows in the shallow water along the coast.

Whale Sharks, the largest cold-blooded animal in the world, visits Ningaloo Reef from March until June to feed in the plankton rich water during the coral spawning season. In these 3 months, spotter planes are used to track the Whale Sharks so that their precise locations is fed back to the boats to bring snorkellers and divers to these magnificient animals. Then from August to October, Humpback Whales migrate down to the coast to kick start whale-watching tours. In additions to the exotic creatures, the reef also has a healthy population of reef fish. While the water in Ningaloo Reef is rich with plankton, visibility is still good with an average of about 20m.

Dive Sites around Ningaloo Reef

• Coral Bay
  Coral Bay is located at the southern tip of the Ningaloo Reef. This site is filled mainly with hard corals. Residents of the sites are turtles, reef sharks, mackerel, schools of barracuda, schools of trevally and sweetlips. Other reef fish that are commonly found here are parrot fish, anemone fish, surgeon fish, angelfish and gobies.
  
  
• Norweigian Bay
  Norweigian Bay is located near the center of Ningaloo Reef and close to Ningaloo town. This is a typical coral garden site with common reef fish such as surgeon fish, angelfish. Rock cods, turtles and stingrays can be found here too.
  
  
• Mandu Wall
  Mandu Wall is a wall dive site located near the upper half of Ningaloo Reef. The wall here drop into 20m depth of water and does not boast alot of coral growth. However, the fish life here is quite spectacular. Divers can expect to swim with schools of trevally, sweetlip and barracuda. Grouper, coral trout, batfish, unicornfish and reef sharks are never too far away. Current can be quite strong here at time, as such, most operators usually conduct a drift dive at this site.
  
  
• Blizzard Ridge
  Blizzard Ridge is located on the northern part of Ningaloo Reef close to Exmouth. This is a shallow site with a depth of only 15m. There is a good collection of corals, sponges and gorgonian. Divers can look out for wobbegong sharks, stingrays coral trout, lionfish, grouper and sea snakes.
  
  
• Sponge Gardens
  Sponge Gardens is located near the north tip of Ningaloo Reef. The site is filled with sponges, gorgonians, soft coral and sea whips at a depth of about 22m. Moray eels, stingrays and sea stars can be commonly seen at this site. The site also has a healthy collection of reef fish and nudibranch. For the observant divers, there will alway be wobbegong sharks and cowries to look out for.
  
  

Best Time to Dive in Ningaloo Reef

Where to Stay in Exmouth

• Our favourite 3 stars or budget accommodation in Exmouth - Best Western Sea Breeze Resort
• Our favourite 3 stars or budget accommodation in Exmouth - Novotel Ningaloo Resort

How to get to Exmouth

• Skywest Airlines

• Singapore Airlines
• Qantas

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