Where to stay for the Ningaloo Reef

Your two main options for lodging on the Ningaloo Coast are the tiny Coral Bay, directly on the reef, and Exmouth, putting you a drive away. Each of these towns offers its own pros and cons (more on that shortly). But keep in mind that considering how far apart they are (some 1.5 hours by car), it’s often a good idea to split your days between them.

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Coral Bay

Coral Bay is the option for where to stay when visiting the Ningaloo Reef that provides the most intimate location. Where Coral Bay ends, the Ningaloo Reef begins (literally!).

Just walk down Robinson Street, Coral Bay’s main street, and see for yourself. There, the crescent-shaped Coral Bay Beach, also known as Bill’s Bay, takes your breath away.

Plunge into the crystal-clear water, and soon you’ll arrive at the first corals. This habitat is home to a wide range of sea creatures, including colourful fish and turtles — sightings are likely.

With generally calm water, Coral Bay Beach is one of the best family destinations in Western Australia. Visitors of all ages snorkel the waters off Coral Bay Beach together.

On dry land, the scenery is jaw-dropping too. Coral Bay Beach’s white sand dunes contrast the blue Indian Ocean brilliantly.

What else is going on in Coral Bay?

Not much. Picture a miniature settlement with a few caravan parks, hotels, restaurants and a small shopping centre, where you can buy groceries, souvenirs and book tours.

Takeaway: Coral Bay is the only town directly on the Ningaloo Reef. This is the best option for where to stay when visiting the Ningaloo Reef if you like the idea of a quiet beach town.

Recommended hotels in Coral Bay

Peoples Park

Enter Peoples Park and find a friendly oasis. From caravan sites to deluxe cabins and hilltop villas, this place to stay near the Ningaloo Reef offers something for every traveler. Regardless if you’re staying here or not, get some coffee at Fin’s café. The beverages and service are, exactly like you want a Ningaloo holiday to be, restoringly laid back.

Ningaloo Reef Resort

Note: Ningaloo Reef Resort is currently under redevelopment and is expected to reopen in 2026.

The name of the Ningaloo Reef Resort gives it away: Just cross the street, and you have arrived at the awe-inspiring Ningaloo Reef. Tropical fish, whale sharks and manta rays — here you come. Accommodation options include relaxed studios as well as garden and ocean view apartments.

Exmouth

Where to stay for the Ningaloo Reef if you prefer a bigger town? The answer is Exmouth, the only sizable town in the Ningaloo Reef area.

Above all, Exmouth is the gateway to Cape Range National Park. It showcases deep canyons, eye-popping limestone ranges and, of course, iconic Ningaloo Reef beaches.

Along Yardie Creek road, you’ll find a remarkable lineup of snorkelling spots. Lakeside and Oyster Stacks are two snorkelling areas standing out for their rich marine life.

But the drift-snorkelling mecca Turquoise Bay is the icing on the cake.

Enter the water at the southern end of the beach’s Drift Side and let the current carry you north over the reef. Enhanced by the natural drift, this is a one-of-a-kind snorkelling experience.

How far it is from Exmouth to Turquoise Bay? It’s a 62 km (39 mi) drive taking about 45 minutes.

After a day of Ningaloo snorkelling, you can enjoy the amenities in Exmouth. For its remote location, Exmouth boasts an impressive array of unique hotels and restaurants.

With Exmouth’s bigger size also comes appreciated town functions. In particular, because you never know, the town’s hospital gives you some peace of mind.

Takeaway: Pick Exmouth for where to stay for the Ningaloo Reef if you like the idea of a bigger town. Here, framed by Cape Range, nature and civilisation come together.

Recommended hotels in Exmouth

Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort

Facing Town Beach and Exmouth Gulf, Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort offers luxurious rooms, self-contained apartments and bungalows. After diving the Ningaloo Reef, relax by the pool, work out in the gym and let the award-winning Mantaray’s Restaurant spoil you — this is a gorgeous option for where to stay when visiting the Ningaloo Reef.

Exmouth Escape Resort

An appealing selection of modern apartments and villas awaits at Exmouth Escape Resort, conveniently located on the main road. The resort facilities, including a spacious pool area, are spot on. Yet it’s the flavours of the on-site Whalers Restaurant that’s this Ningaloo resort’s best feature. Families, couples and solo travelers alike love the menu, ranging from fresh seafood to yummy steaks.

Is Coral Bay or Exmouth better?

So, you still can’t decide where to stay for the Ningaloo Reef? Let’s have a closer look at the friendly Coral Bay versus Exmouth rivalry.

Coral Bay vs Exmouth: Location

Coral Bay is located directly on the southern portion of the Ningaloo Reef. From Exmouth’s Learmonth Airport (LEA), it’s roughly an hour by car down to Coral Bay.

Exmouth is situated at the northern end of the Ningaloo Reef. If you arrive by airplane, transportation from the airport to the town of Exmouth takes under 30 minutes.

Coral Bay vs Exmouth: Beaches

Coral Bay Beach, one of the finest Western Australian beaches, awaits right across the street from Ningaloo Reef accommodation in Coral Bay. The accessibility is incredibly convenient and like made for a relaxing holiday.

Sure, Exmouth has its Town Beach, but it simply can’t compare to the beaches on the Ningaloo Reef. Most visitors happily drive the 45 minutes to Turquoise Bay — the reward is big.

Coral Bay vs Exmouth: Amenities

Coral Bay is a small resort town; it’s, in fact, so tiny that it might feel like just one big resort. A few Ningaloo hotels, some restaurants, a miniature shopping centre — there it stops.

As the region’s hub, Exmouth has a much more solid infrastructure than Coral Bay. Think more hotels, restaurants and shops but also a hospital and other services.

Coral Bay vs Exmouth: Whale sharks

Ningaloo’s whale shark season generally lasts from March to July. During these months, the marine giants show up almost daily. Tours depart both from Coral Bay and Exmouth, but the difference is that the season begins and ends slightly earlier in Coral Bay.

Regardless if you opt for a Coral Bay or Exmouth whale shark tour, book it in advance to avoid disappointment.

Unique places to stay near the Ningaloo Reef

Want to completely leave civilization behind? On top of Coral Bay and Exmouth, these are unique places to stay in and adjacent to Cape Range National Park.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

There are views, and there’s the view at Sal Salis. Enjoy luxury safari tents within steps of the Indian Ocean and the Ningaloo Reef. At this unique Ningaloo Reef accommodation, within Cape Range National Park, you allow yourself to get back to nature. Beware: A stay here might make you question how you normally live your life, or at least why you don’t bed down at Sal Salis more often.

Yardie Homestead Caravan Park

Don’t expect extravagancy here. Sitting between Exmouth and Cape Range National Park, Yardie Homestead is an old-school caravan park, which also provides chalets, holiday shacks and the bigger shearer’s quarters.

Tips for your Ningaloo Reef stay

• Combine Coral Bay & Exmouth: Coral Bay and Exmouth are both great places to stay when visiting the Ningaloo Reef. Therefore the best scenario is to have time for both these gems during your stay.
• Book lodging early: The Ningaloo Reef might be huge, but the hotels and resorts near the Ningaloo Reef are few. You don’t want to stay hours away; secure your Ningaloo lodging as soon as possible, especially if you plan a winter or school break getaway.
• Plan tours in advance: Whale shark, humpback whale, manta ray and turtle tours are all big-ticket items at the Ningaloo Reef. To avoid disappointment, book the tours you want to take in advance (this also saves you precious holiday time).
• Discover Cape Range: Too many visitors miss out on the inland attractions of Cape Range National Park during their Ningaloo stays. Yardie Creek hikes and boat tours complement the Ningaloo Reef exceptionally well.

In case you wonder…

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