Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s largest fringing reefs. This intricate reef system stretches over 260 km and at some points is only metres from the beach.

The Ningaloo Reef is home to a myriad of marine life, including one of the rarest, and largest fish in the world – the whale shark. These leviathans, of up to 18 metres in length, are regular visitors to the Ningaloo Reef from March to June, when the plankton rich waters draw them close to the reef in search of food.

To find out more about the Whaleshark Tours click here: Whaleshark Tours

Ningaloo Reef Facts:

1. It is one of the world’s longest fringing reefs
   Ningaloo Reef stretches roughly 260 km along the West Australian coast and sits very close to shore, in some places only a few metres from the beach.
2. You can swim to the reef from the sand
   Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, many parts of Ningaloo can be accessed by simply walking into the water – no boat required.
3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Area
   The Ningaloo Coast was World Heritage listed in 2011 because of its biodiversity and relatively untouched marine ecosystem.
4. It hosts one of the largest whale shark aggregations on Earth
   Each year between March and August, whale sharks migrate to the reef following coral spawning events.
5. More than 500 fish species live here
   The reef supports a huge variety of marine life including manta rays, turtles, reef sharks, dugongs and migrating humpback whales.
6. Coral Bay and Exmouth sit at opposite ends
   The reef runs between Coral Bay in the south and Exmouth in the north, with Cape Range National Park covering a large portion of the coastline.
7. It is one of the healthiest coral reef systems globally
   Because of low coastal development and strong ocean currents, Ningaloo has avoided much of the coral bleaching seen in many other reefs worldwide.