Travel Coral Bay

Welcome to paradise. Situated 1132km north of Perth and bathed in tropical sun all year round, Coral Bay is a tiny, unique settlement on the Outback Coast. Perched right on a gorgeous beach and sweeping bay; this is the place where you can experience the fantastic Ningaloo Reef close up.

It's mega chilled-out here. The town is small, the locals relaxed and everything is within walking or swimming distance. And you can have a world-class diving experience for the cost of snorkel hire; just grab the gear, walk off the beach, dip your head in and you're in the midst of a new world, populated by incredibly colourful fish, turtles and rays.

There are heaps of fun activities available including quad biking, trekking, diving, scenic flights, coral viewing, fish feeding and wildlife spotting. The local charter operators will take you swimming with manta rays and dolphins all year round and you can experience the turtle hatching season between November-March.

After the coral spawns, one week after the first full-moon in March, planet Earth's biggest fish, the harmless whale shark, come to visit. Snorkel with these amazing creatures, which can reach 18-metres in length, but are usually seen at about 12-metres; it is a life-changing experience to swim with something so big.

Humpback whales are also around between June and November, and there's numerous tours and charters to take you out to see them. Or, you could just lay on the beach - this is the joy of Coral Bay, which is fast becoming a must-stop for independent travellers. The simple outdoor lifestyle, set against the stunning backdrop of Ningaloo Reef and surrounding waters is highly appealing.