Description of the attraction
Ningaloo Reef is a famous coral reef that stretches for 260 km along the coast of Western Australia from Cape Northwest. Its width is about 20 km, and in some places it approaches the coast at a distance of up to 50 meters. It is the only reef in the world so close to the continent and the longest continuous barrier reef in Australia.
This tropical underwater paradise is home to 500 species of fish and 220 species of coral. But the most famous inhabitants of the reef are whale sharks, reaching 12 meters in length. Here you can also see giant mantas, dolphins, sea turtles and whales - humpback and southern. Clumsy dugongs scurry among the corals.
Every year an amazing performance unfolds on the reef: in the spring, a huge number of coral polyps simultaneously throw ripe eggs into the sea. Immediately, in anticipation of the feast, various crustaceans appear, followed by whale sharks, like vacuum cleaners pulling krill into their huge mouths … This is the best time to watch a great natural spectacle from a boat or snorkel into the thick of events. Just remember that it is forbidden to touch any marine life. The entire reef is part of the Ningalu Marine Park.
You can get to the reef by plane from Perth to Learmont, and then by bus to the town of Exmouth. The best time to visit the reef is considered to be the period from April to July - it is at this time of the year that there is a great chance of meeting ocean giants - whales.
