Ningaloo and Shark Bay Discovery

western australia snorkelling with whale shark at ningaloo reef istk

Ningaloo and Shark Bay Discovery

from £1171 excluding flights

7 nights
Mar-Oct

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Highlights

Discover the wilderness of Shark Bay World Heritage Site

Swimming with whale sharks, NIngaloo, Western Australia

Swim with dolphins and whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

western australia bottlenose dolphins monkey mia twa

Encounter the pelicans and bottle-nosed dolphins of Monkey Mia

Learn about the land, nature and Aboriginal traditions

Why this trip...

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Activities included

This itinerary features a range of included activities

Overview

This week-long self drive itinerary showcases the very best of Australia’s Coral Coast beginning and ending in Exmouth on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia.

Explore dramatic coastal gorges, meet the friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Shark Bay region, plunge into the depths of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and swim with the manta rays, dolphins and even whale sharks on this unforgettable adventure.

Contact our team of Australia Travel Specialists to find out how you can fit this itinerary into a tailor made holiday.

Itinerary

On arrival in Exmouth collect your rental car. Spend the rest of the day exploring the area, perhaps visiting beautiful Turquoise Bay or hiking the rugged red gorges of Cape Range National Park. En route back to Exmouth stop off at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse for sunset vistas over the Indian Ocean.

Enjoy a day on Ningaloo Reef heading out on a cruise (included). From March to August you’ll have the chance to swim with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark, whilst from August to October you can snorkel with humpback whales. There will also be time to explore the dramatic coral of Ningaloo, snorkelling amongst colourful fish and the occasional turtle.

western australia ningaloo reef green turtle istk

Head south to Carnarvon, at the mouth of Western Australia’s longest river – the Gascoyne. On the way, an optional detour takes you to the Carnarvon blowholes to witness an incredible natural phenomenon where jets of water sporadically erupt from the rocks. On arrival in Carnarvon you may wish to take a stroll along the mile-long jetty for striking views of the coastline.

Head south towards Monkey Mia at Shark Bay. Follow the Shark Bay World Heritage Drive and visit Hamelin Pool, a marine reserve containing the world’s best-known colony of stromatolites: rock like structures caused by microbes being compressed over thousands of years. Continue on to extraordinary Shell Beach, where thousands of miniature cockleshells cover the beach. Your final stop on the way to the resort of Monkey Mia is Eagle Bluff Lookout, for panoramic views of Shark Bay Heritage Park and the Indian Ocean. In the evening enjoy an indigenous Didgeridoo Dreaming tour to learn about Shark Bay’s history, culture and landscapes as seen through the eyes of its traditional custodians. Under a thousand stars you will listen to the didgeridoo, hear fascinating stories and feast on bushtucker cooked over the campfire.

western australia francois peron national park outback road istk

Enjoy a day leisurely exploring the dramatic landscapes of Francois Peron National Park on a 4WD adventure, or enjoy a marine wildlife cruise into the restricted Dugong Management Zone to spend the afternoon with the rare dugong, dolphins and other marine wildlife (additional cost). Don’t miss the chance to meet the bottlenose dolphins that frequent the shallows at Monkey Mia’s beach.

Head north along the coastal road to Coral Bay, the southern gateway to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Admire another stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean before spending the evening relaxing and enjoying the catch of the day at one of the beachside restaurants.

western australia cape range sunset istk

Spend the day enjoying the plethora of marine experiences on offer from Coral Bay. Snorkel in crystal clear waters straight off the beach to witness the abundance of marine wildlife that feeds on the reef. Book a guided scuba diving excursion, keep your feet dry on a glass bottom boat cruise or take to the skies on a breathtaking scenic flight (additional cost).

Continue north back to Exmouth where your Coral Coast adventure ends.

Accommodation Options

We will recommend accommodation for this holiday, but with a wide choice available in Western Australia, we can adapt to suit your personal preference mixing different grades and styles.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists

Excursions

Australia

Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour, Shark Bay

from £46

2 hours | Year round

Spend the evening discovering the traditional Aboriginal way of life under a night sky of magnificent stars.

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Australia

Francois Peron National Park 4WD Safari, Shark Bay

from £122

Full Day | Year round

Learn about the Aboriginal culture, history and wildlife of the Shark Bay region on this full day small group 4WD tour to…

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Australia

Mermaid Myth Dugong Cruise, Monkey Mia

from £61

3 hours | Year round

Spend the afternoon on the 60 foot catamaran “Shotover” in search of the mysterious dugong; the only wildlife sailing cruise in Australia…

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Australia

Ningaloo Humpback Whale and Wonder Tour, Exmouth

from £219

Full Day | Aug-Oct

Spend the day out on Ningaloo Reef accompanied by professional guides in search of the majestic humpback whales that frequent these waters…

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Australia

Whale Shark Swim, Exmouth

from £252

Full Day | Mar-Jul

Enjoy a day to remember on this unforgettable experience swimming with awe-inspiring whale sharks on the stunning Ningaloo Reef.

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Australia

Whale Shark Swimming Adventure, Coral Bay

from £233

Full Day | Mar-Jul

Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with the largest fish on earth, the whale shark.

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Prices and Departures

Price from £1171 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
Car rental throughout
Snorkel with whale sharks or humpback whales
Didgeridoo dreaming night tour (min 4 persons)
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £1,171 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

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The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.

Ningaloo and Shark Bay Discovery

Highlights