Travel Weekly has once again partnered with Tourism Western Australia to help travel agents get educated on selling the state’s myriad destinations and attractions with confidence.
This time around, we’re showcasing the perfect place for an aquatic adventure: Exmouth and the Coral Coast.
Stepping off the shore at Exmouth in WA’s Coral Coast region, visitors will discover the clearest turquoise water and the world’s largest fringing reef – Ningaloo Reef.
It’s a popular spot for all kinds of marine wildlife, from dolphins, manta rays, turtles and humpback whales, to the largest fish in the ocean – the whale shark.
Between March and July, whale sharks make their annual migration to the region. Exmouth is one of the few places on Earth visitors can swim with these gentle giants of the sea, with a number of whale shark tour operators departing from both Exmouth and nearby Coral Bay.
Humpback whales follow shortly after. Between June and November, around 30,000 humpback whales visit the Ningaloo Coast on their way to their breeding and birthing grounds off the Kimberley.
Cape Range National Park is approximately a 40-minute drive from Exmouth and home to some of the best snorkelling spots that can be accessed just a few metres from shore.
One of the most iconic spots is Turquoise Bay – the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing, swimming and snorkelling. There, your clients can slip on a snorkel and let the current carry them over the reef to see a plethora of marine life.
While at Cape Range, a trip to Yardie Creek is essential. Visitors can take a cruise along the gorge to see the limestone cliff faces and spot the local wildlife, including the rare black-footed wallaby.
Highlights, highlights and more highlights
Got a few clients who are keen to explore some more of WA’s Coral Coast? Well, there’s certainly no shortage of highlights you can recommend. Here are just a few:
- Visit Kalbarri’s latest attraction – the Kalbarri Skywalk. Perched right on the cliff-top, two 100-metre-high lookouts project 25 and 17 metres beyond the rim of Murchison Gorge, offering spectacular views.
- Explore the Shark Bay region, where they can meet Monkey Mia’s famous friendly dolphins. Take a kayak tour around the area and learn why it’s World-Heritage-listed.
- Wander through Nambung National Park and see the eerie lunar-like landscapes of the Pinnacles Desert.
- Stopover in Geraldton and plan a visit to the Abrolhos Islands, a snorkelling, windsurfing and bird watching paradise that’s also ranked among the world’s top fishing spots.
Trip planning tips
If your clients are planning a trip to Exmouth and the Coral Coast, there are some great itinerary suggestions available. Check out the 10-day Coral Coast Highway or the Ningaloo Reef Fly Stay Experience for tips and inspiration.
When locking in your clients’ travel dates, it’s important to keep in mind that WA’s Coral Coast region is warm year-round. The best time to visit Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef is between March and October, with March through to July being the season to swim with whale sharks.
Visitors can take a two-hour flight with Qantas and fly from Perth to Learmonth Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive to Exmouth. Alternatively, your clients can take on the Coral Coast Highway to get to Exmouth and see some of WA’s best coastal highlights along the way, including Nambung National Park, Kalbarri and Monkey Mia to name a few.
There are some great accommodation options in Exmouth. Clients after resort-style accommodation should check out Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Beach Resort and Exmouth Escape Resort.
Those after a luxe, eco-friendly camping experience should look no further than Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, while those seeking the simpler pleasures of a cabin or campsite can enjoy the recently redeveloped RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park.
For bookings, agents have the option of contacting their preferred travel wholesaler or going direct with an operator.
Keen to learn more about Exmouth and the Coral Coast region? Click here.
Featured image: Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures in Shark Bay World Heritage area (image source: Tourism Western Australia)
