Coral Bay in a nutshell
Coral Bay is a small coastal town in the Shire of Carnarvon in Western Australia, at the southern end of the Ningaloo coast. The 2021 Census counted 245 usual residents. That is a historic figure, not a count of the guests in town. There is a food supply, and the fuel station takes cards only and is open 24 hours, according to one caravan park. Telstra and Optus work in town, but do not rely on coverage on tracks outside it.
Not to be confused with Coral Bay in Cyprus or Coral Bay on St. John in the US Virgin Islands. This guide is only about Coral Bay in Western Australia. It covers snorkelling from the beach, manta ray and whale shark tours, glass bottom boats, quad bikes, camping, Warroora and the way in. It is an independent site, not run by a government body, a park authority, an accommodation provider or a tour company. Prices are in Australian dollars (A$), as listed in 2026, and they change. For Exmouth, Turquoise Bay and Cape Range at the northern end of the reef, see our guide to the Ningaloo Reef.
What Coral Bay is known for
Four reasons people drive this far, with the seasons that apply.
Snorkelling from the beach
The park authority names Bills Bay and Paradise Beach for snorkelling from shore. Five Finger Reef, Oyster Bridge, The Lagoon and Maud's Landing are 4WD destinations.
Snorkelling guide →Manta rays
One local operator describes manta rays in the waters around Coral Bay all year. That is a statement about the animals, not a promise of a daily tour or a sighting.
Manta ray tours →Whale sharks and humpbacks
The park authority gives March to August as the best time for whale sharks across Ningaloo and June to November for humpback whales. Each tour operator sets its own season.
Whale shark tours →Turtles
February and March are the months the park authority names for watching hatchlings along the Ningaloo coast. There is no daily hatching at one beach, and no tour can promise a turtle.
12 things to do →Our picks: Coral Bay tours
A glass-bottom boat, a turtle eco tour and a manta snorkelling day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Six-hour marine eco safari with manta snorkelling
Snorkelling gear, wetsuit, snorkel guides, morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch are included. Tour photos are not.
Check availability →
Three-hour turtle eco tour on Ningaloo Reef
Snorkelling gear, hot drinks and biscuits are included. A wetsuit is not included.
Check availability →
One-hour glass-bottom boat trip
A professional guide on a one-hour trip over the reef. You board from the beach by wading through shallow water.
Check availability →Coral Bay tours and day trips
Manta ray and whale shark swims, reef trips, glass bottom boats and more, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the list of things to do, then open the pages you need.
Things to do in Coral Bay
Twelve ideas, from Bills Bay to the kayak trail, mantas and quad treks.
Tours compared
Mantas, whale sharks, humpbacks, glass bottom boats and quads with durations and prices.
Snorkelling
Bills Bay, Five Fingers, currents, boat channel and reef rules.
Manta rays
Season, a typical tour day and the rules for swimming near the animals.
Whale sharks
Operator seasons, group sizes and what the licence rules mean for you.
Glass bottom boat
One- and two-hour reef trips with 2026/27 prices, no snorkelling required.
Bills Bay
The main beach, the sanctuary zone and where swimming is not allowed.
Quad bike tours
Guided treks over the dunes, departure times and driver rules.
Accommodation
Units, villas, a backpacker hostel and the resort that is still being built.
Caravan parks
Two parks, nightly rates for 2026/27, water and the rules on free camping.
Warroora Station
Coast camping, 4WD access and the closure announced for 14 Mile.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rain from a nearby station, plus cyclone season.
Getting there
By car from Perth, by coach, or by plane to Learmonth and a transfer.
Good to know before you book
Places where older guides and forum posts are out of date.
The new resort is not open
The RAC Ningaloo Reef Resort is still a construction project. Its September 2026 update names early 2027 as the target for opening. Do not plan a stay there yet.
Accommodation →Coastal campsites are released monthly
Ningaloo coast campsites open for booking on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AWST, for a later month. April 2027 opened on 6 October 2026, and May 2027 opens on 3 November 2026. The rule is not a flat 180 days ahead.
Caravan parks →Warroora: two separate offers
Coast camping is booked with the park authority. The homestead is run privately and booked separately. The park page announces a closure of the 14 Mile campground from Thursday 29 October 2026 for relocation and rebuilding, after damage to sites 12 to 28. No reopening date is given.
Warroora →The reef after 2025
The Australian Institute of Marine Science documented serious heat damage on Ningaloo in 2025. The north and center were hit harder than the south. Condition differs by site, so do not assume a pristine reef at any one spot.
Snorkelling →What costs money
Entry to the marine park is free. Tours and camping are charged separately. Artesian water at caravan sites is for showers, not for drinking or cooking.
Water and rates →More independent Ningaloo guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one part of the reef.
Coral Bay: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Coral Bay?
By car it is about 1,200 km and 12 hours of driving from Perth according to a local operator, so plan overnight stops. An Integrity coach leaves East Perth on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and reaches the Ningaloo Club stop on request at 11:00 the next day. Qantas flies Perth to Learmonth near Exmouth, and an airport transfer to Coral Bay is listed at A$105 per adult and A$55 per child (0 to 12) each way, booked ahead, for at least two adult fares (2026). Two sources give 75 and about 90 minutes for that transfer. See getting there.
When is the best time to go?
It depends on the animal. Manta rays are described as present all year, whale sharks are best from March to August across Ningaloo, and humpback whales pass from June to November. The Bureau of Meteorology station at Learmonth Airport, a regional comparison, shows long-term average highs of 24.5 degrees C in July and 38.1 degrees C in January. Cyclone season runs from November to April. See the weather page.
Do I need a visa?
German citizens need a visa or ETA before they travel and a passport that covers the stay. The free eVisitor (subclass 651) is valid for 12 months, with up to 3 months per stay. Other nationalities have other rules. Declare food, plants and animal products on the arrival card, because quarantine is strict.
Is it safe to travel to Coral Bay?
The US State Department lists Australia at Level 1, "Exercise normal precautions", issued 18 August 2026, with no separate level for Coral Bay. The UK advice, last changed 19 March 2026, mentions flight disruption on transit routes via the Middle East and a bushfire season from October to February. The German Foreign Office points to cyclone risk on northern coasts, including Western Australia. Driving is on the left, and remote roads add animal and coverage risks.
Can I camp on the beach?
No. The Shire allows camping only in registered parks and designated camping areas, and it lists an on-the-spot fine of A$200 per person. Use a caravan park or a booked coastal campsite. See caravan parks and Warroora.
Is coral-bay.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Shire of Carnarvon, the park authority, Tourism Western Australia, any accommodation provider or any tour operator.