A stunning coastal spot that's captivated the world with its World Heritage reef, gentle giants and endless stretches of coastline, you'd be forgiven for thinking you should plan your visit to Ningaloo for peak season. But with tours aplenty, endless nature to explore, tasty eats year-round, seasonal accommodation deals and fewer crowds, it's outside those busy months where the magic really happens.
If you’re looking for a pre-end-of-year escape, this dreamy slice of Australia’s Coral Coast might just be the place for you. Here's why Ningaloo should be top of your list this spring.
The Water's Still Warm
While whale shark tours generally wrap up in August, Ningaloo's famous whale sharks do sometimes continue to show themselves on marine and humpback tours up until November. Many of Ningaloo's swimming tours offer the chance to swim with the the regions loveable giants, the humpback whales, which you'll find through Coral Bay and Exmouth from July to October. The other members Ningaloo's Big Five: manta rays, green sea turtles and dugongs, can be seen year round.
Tour operators like Three Islands Dive offer unforgettable days of discovery, where you can pop on a snorkel and coast alongside humpback whales, a spectacular array of fish and the stunning reef they call home—with courtesy pick up and drop off, meals, snorkel gear and photos included. For non-swimmers, you can still get a front-row seat to all the action from the comfort of their 17-metre boat.
For manta ray spotting, tours like Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel offer the chance to glide alongside these majestic creatures as they cruise through the crystal-clear waters.
Clear Skies Make For Stunning Sightseeing
If you only hit the water when temps are above 30 degrees, you'll find equally exhilarating tours on land and in the air in Ningaloo.
The scenic flight, charter and aerial spotting specialists at Ningaloo Aviation do scenic flights over Ningaloo Reef, where a clear spring day lets you take in aerial views of the reef, wildlife and stunning scenery of the area, like Cape Range.
Keen to fly in a whole new way? Check out Bird’s Eye View where they'll put you in the driver's seat (at least partially) as you learn to cruise through the sky in a microlight or hang glider.
Experience The Celestial Events Of Spring
A dark sky location with minimal light pollution, Exmouth is one of the best spots in Australia to gaze at the Milky Way in all its glory. Spot the Emu In the Sky, an Indigenous Astronomical constellation made up of the dark spaces in the Milky Way, before it's gone for the year in October.
Book your stargazing experience through Ningaloo Stars for a night led by expert guides, with state-of-the-art telescopes.
Get A Seasonal Taste Of The Coral Coast
There’s no shortage of epic eats in Ningaloo, thanks to the freshest seafood sourced year-round and dished up with local flair. The Coral Coast's waters are teeming with countless fish and crustaceans, with fishermen reeling in the day's catch and shaping restaurant menus around delicacies like Western Rock Lobster, Shark Bay Prawns and Blue Swimmer Crab.
Exhale is a local go-to for all day dining, where you'll find everything from smoked salmon crepes and coffee at brekkie to Baja-style fish tacos and cocktails at dinner.
For the finest seafood in town head to Whalers, a relaxed dining spot serving up seafood in all forms. Think Rankin Cod dumplings, Exmouth prawn gnocchi and snapper ceviche.
At Froth Craft Brewery, you’ll find crispy lemon pepper calamari and grilled snapper marinated in lemon, ginger and soy, alongside pub classics like a loaded chicken parma and Angus beef burger.
A good holiday calls for great cocktails—so hit up Mantarays for their Spicy Sunset, made with chilli tequila, agave and passionfruit, or a classic Pina Colada, a foolproof go-to after a day at the beach.
Nature’s Not Going Anywhere
It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, the natural landscapes and scenery of Ningaloo are dressed to impress. The ancient Cape Range National Park is dotted with limestone ranges and deep canyons, and surrounded by 50km of breathtaking beaches. It’s also home to a range of wildlife, so on a good day you’ll spot emus, kangaroos and even Western black-footed wallabies.
Explore Cape Range with one of its many hiking and walking trails on a tour with Trek Ningaloo, take a 4WD through the red dirt of Shothole Canyon, or let a local take the lead with Ningaloo Reef to Range Tours, where you'll get a private tour with an expert who knows the range like their own backyard.
Whether you need to book something in ASAP, or you’re planning to beat the end-of-year crowds, head to Australia’s Coral Coast to plan your Ningaloo spring adventure.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Australia's Coral Coast and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Images: Australia's Coral Coast, Whalers on Instagram.