Exmouth

Exmouth is the gateway to Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Reef stretches 260km along the Western Australian coast. This thereby makes it one of the longest fringing coral reef systems in the world. In contrast to its east coast counterpart (The Great Barrier Reef) Ningaloo Reef is much less developed for tourism, in turn rendering it far less crowded.

Exmouth is situated directly on the coast and it offers a huge variety of water based activities. By the time you leave you will be sun kissed and well spoiled after hours of surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, or just relaxing on the beach. Exmouth is where you can get on a whale shark tour from April through to July, with numerous local operators offering the option.

There are also opportunities to see humpback and southern rights cavorting in Exmouth Gulf with their calves or migrating along the coast.

When it comes to accommodation Exmouth has several hostels and caravan parks. These are nicely complemented by a selection of restaurants, shops, cafes, and two pubs plus the nightclub Bamboo Bar, which is located at the Pot Shot Hotel.

After you get bored with the beach and have done your fair share of partying in town head on over to Cape Range National Park just a short drive away. At Cape Range National Park you will find spectacular rocky gorges, carved out by ancient rivers, and rugged natural scenery. Book a boat trip along Yardie Creek and look out for wallabies, euro kangaroos, and birds of prey.

Great surf breaks can also be found in the region. Rays and dolphins have been known to join surfers as they ride the waves. A popular reef break just off-shore is located by the Vlamingh Lighthouse which is situated right before the Mildura Wreck on the Mildura Wreck Road. See www.exmouthwa.com.au

Many claim this to be the most exhilarating and humbling experience for even the most seasoned of global travellers.

Whale sharks visit Ningaloo Reef from April through to July each year. This is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks appear regularly in numbers. They are the world’s largest fish measuring up to 18m in length. Those encountered on the Ningaloo Reef are most commonly between 4-12m long.
A whale shark can weigh up to 15 tonnes and have a mouth over a metre wide. They survive by filtering zooplankton through thousands of tiny teeth arranged in 300 rows located in their gills. Whale sharks are slow swimmers, moving their entire bodies from side to side on the surface of the water, so the only things you will need to swim with them are a mask, snorkel and fins. They are completely harmless and seem to enjoy the interaction with people.

Very little is known about the breeding cycle and mating habits of whale sharks other than that they do have internal fertilization and produce live young - despite technically being ‘fish’. Although they do not need to come to the surface to breathe, it is believed that they do so to feed, however the intricacies of their feeding habits and normal behaviour remain a mystery. The pattern of lines and spots seen on a Whale shark helps them to blend into their oceanic surroundings. These unique patterns are like fingerprints and can be used to identify individuals.

On a typical tour, the day begins at about 7.30am when you will be picked up from your accommodation by a courtesy bus and taken to an awaiting, customised vessel. By 9am, you are snorkelling on beautiful Ningaloo Reef. A spotter plane begins looking for whale sharks and once spotted, your whale shark experience begins. As soon as they know where the whale sharks are, you will have the opportunity of swimming with these gentle giants. Morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch are usually included, as well as refreshments, use of mask, snorkel, fins and wet suit, if required. After the buzz of being right up close with these giants of the sea, you can enjoy a few more swims/snorkels on the Ningaloo Reef, before heading to shore at about 4.30pm. Most operators also will record footage of you frolicking with your new found friends, and the images can be purchased on disc.
 

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