Coral Bay is the ultimate ocean lover’s paradise. A tiny little town perched upon a white sandy beach with turquoise blue waters and a reef that will make your jaw drop—it really is what dreams are made of.
If you’ve not yet made it up to this spectacular part of the world, we suggest you pack up the car and head North to chase the sun and find out what relaxation really means.
Here’s our wrap of the best things to do in Coral Bay, plus where to eat, drink and stay.
What To Do
Swim With Gentle Giants
Swimming with humpback whales is a bucket list experience not to be missed. From June to October each year you can head out for some incredible whale watching, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be able to jump in the water and have one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of your life. It’s something words really can’t describe. If you’ve got your trip planned before the humpback season, you may be in for a chance with whale sharks. Either way, you’ll be impressed.
Meet The Resident Manta Rays
If you’ve ticked off the whales and whale sharks, the next giants on your list should be Coral Bay’s resident manta rays. Reaching up to 7 metres in length, a flick of their wings and you’ll be kicking those legs like no tomorrow. These majestic rays are something you need to add to your list stat.
Catch The Sunset
Coral Bay is home to some of the world’s best sunsets. Pack a picnic and head up the sand dunes in town or jump in the 4WD and make tracks to Five Fingers. Get settled in with enough time to sit back and relax and take in the jaw-dropping views. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for whales if it’s the right time of year.
Snorkel The World Class Reef
In our opinion, a day in the bay without a snorkel is a day wasted. For the days you’re not on a boat, some of our fave spots include Five Fingers and Oyster Bridge which you’ll need a 4WD to get out to. Bill’s Bay, at the centre of town is also pretty damn fine where you can discover the lavender patch – a literal sea of purple just a short swim from shore. Grab an underwater scooter from the shack on the beach and you’ll fly through the water.
Catch a Week’s Worth of Dinners
If fishing is your thing, you’re going to want to book a fishing charter ASAP. An absolute haven for lovers of the sport, spots on the charters sell like hotcakes. Bring your catch home and your mates will owe you beer for a week.
Quad Bike Through The Sand Dunes
Is there a better way to search for turtles than by hitting the tracks on a quad bike? After stopping at Turtle Cliffs to look for feeding turtles in the shallow waters, you’ll head down to the beach for a snorkel on the reef where you’ll get the chance to look for more of these guys as well as stunning coral and an abundance of fish.
Sail The Calm Waters
As the sun sets over the Ningaloo Reef, one of the best ways to wrap up your trip is by toasting to yourself aboard a catamaran. Pack your own drinks and enjoy an antipasto platter as you cruise through the turquoise blue waters. You might even get a chance to jump on the boom net and pretend you’re a mermaid for the day.
Quad Bike Through The Sand Dunes
Is there a better way to search for turtles than by hitting the tracks on a quad bike? After stopping at Turtle Cliffs to look for feeding turtles in the shallow waters, you’ll head down to the beach for a snorkel on the reef where you’ll get the chance to look for more of these guys as well as stunning coral and an abundance of fish.
Treat Yourself To A Spot Of Shopping
There’s really only a couple of shops but it’s quality over quantity, right? Mermaid’s Cave is packed full of jewellery, swimmers, wetsuits and clothes that will set you up for your trip to the bay. The Bubble Art Gallery is where you can take a piece of the bay home and Coral Bay Shells stocks handmade jewellery and beach wear.
Where To Eat And Drink
Coral Resort Bakery
This small-town bakery makes the top of our list and for good reason. Everything is next-level, and we suggest you get a pie or baked good on the daily. Cauliflower cheese, reef and beef – our mouths are already watering. Remember to bring cash as there’s no eftpos facilities at this busy little shop.
Shades Restaurant and Bar
Part of the Ningaloo Reef Resort, Shades boasts some of the best views of the bay. Known as the ‘top pub’ by locals, you’ll be able to catch some panoramic sunsets with a pina colada and share plates in tow. It’s the ultimate in holiday vibes.
Sweet Coral Bay
Is it a Summer holiday without a gelato in hand? When we heard the news that a real ice cream shop had opened in Coral Bay we couldn’t contain our excitement. Every flavour is the real-deal and deciding is the hardest bit. The good news is that it’s a step away from the bakery so on your daily pie trip you can call by and choose a flavour or two.
Fin’s Café
Fin’s is open from morning through to night and dishes out the best brekky in the bay. Expect good coffee and brekky faves like eggs benny and a massive selection of wraps, sandos and heartier meals for lunch. Come night, the dining gets a little bit fancier and you can feast on seafood, pastas and some seriously drool-worthy desserts.
Reef Café
After a day of snorkelling, you’ll have worked up an appetite worthy of the famous hand-made schnitties at Reef Café. Served with chips and your choice of sauce (creamy mushroom please), this is where you head when you need a big feed. The pizzas and pastas are also guaranteed to hit the spot.
Bill’s Bar
Dine on seafood platters, splash out on cocktails or head to Bill’s for live music and entertainment. There’s a sports bar, indoor air-conditioned area and alfresco area that screams Summer holiday.
Where To Stay
Warroora Station
Waroora, known as Warra to those in the know around Coral Bay is the beachside camping dreams are made of. Shack up on the beach and gaze up at the stars and you’ll see how beautiful this part of the world is. Wake up, snorkel the reef and swim with turtles or head into town to jump on to a wildlife tour.
Peoples Park
There’s a few caravan parks in the bay and they all have killer views, however we love the beachfront cabins and caravan or camp site options at Peoples Park. There’s a camper’s kitchen, barbecue areas, wifi hotspots and freshwater throughout the facilities.
Soul Camping
If glamping is more your style, Soul Camping has you covered. Choose your site around Coral Bay and the Soul Camping crew will set you up with boho-style bell tents complete with a bed, fresh linen, pillows, side tables, lamps, rugs and an outdoor table and chairs. This is camping at its finest.
23 Wahoo Court
If you’re heading up with some friends and want to go all out, check out this five bedroom beach holiday house. There’s an amazing decked out kitchen, verandah to take in the sunsets and plenty of room for a bit of peace and quiet.
Bullara Station
In between Coral Bay and Exmouth, Bullara Station provides an authentic outback station experience. There’s plenty of space to camp or pull up a caravan as well as self-contained cottages and epicly beautiful safari style eco-tents. The working cattle station has communal fire pits, under the star bucket showers and an onsite cafe and restaurant dishing out insanely good coffees, baked treats and five-star dinners.
Coral Bay Backpackers
On a budget? We’ve got you sorted. There’s no need to miss out on your adventure in the bay cause you’re watching what you spend. Grab a room at the backpackers, make new friends at the pool and check out the bar for some epic specials.
Check out more epic places to visit in WA.
Image credit: Tourism WA, @helen_jannesonbense, @strawberries4breakfast (Coral Resort Bakery), Sweet Coral Bay, Bill's Bar, Soul Camping, @life.in.olli via Bullara Station's Instagram