Frequently Asked Questions about Ningaloo Reef and tours with Sail Ningaloo 
Are we able to swim with whale sharks on a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
How far in advance do I need to book a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
What do we need to bring on a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
Is alcohol included?
How do we get to Coral Bay from Perth?
How do we get from Exmouth to Coral Bay?
How do we get from our accommodation in Coral Bay to Shore Thing?
I’m a scuba diver, what do I need to bring?
When is the best time to see Manta Rays?
When is the best time to see Humpback Whales?
When is the best time to see Whale Sharks?
When is the best time to see Dugongs?
When is the best time to see Reef Sharks?
When is the best time to see Marine Turtles?
Are we able to swim with whale sharks on a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
Whilst aboard Shore Thing we are NOT allowed to swim with Whale Sharks. There are strict conditions put in place by the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) that apply to swimming with whale sharks. There are only a limited number of operators that are able to offer this service in Coral Bay and Exmouth. The team at Sail Ningaloo is more than happy to share their recommendations and is able to package a whale shark tour together with your experience aboard Shore Thing.
How far in advance do I need to book a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
Cabins do fill up over 6 months in advance but we often have cabins still available a week before scheduled departure dates. School holiday periods in April, July and September are especially popular periods and we recommend booking well in advance for these periods as accommodation in Coral Bay and flights to Exmouth fill up very fast.
What do we need to bring on a tour with Sail Ningaloo?
All food and drinks are included whilst aboard Shore Thing along with mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuits. All you need to bring is a beach towel, personal toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste), camera and battery charger along with a sense of adventure or a desire to relax and enjoy the very best Ningaloo has to offer.
Is alcohol included?
Alcohol is NOT included in the price of your tour aboard Shore Thing. A selection of West Australian wines, spirits and a range of beers are available for purchase onboard. You can pay for your alcohol purchases onboard with cash or credit card (please note additional charges may apply for credit card purchases)
How do we get to Coral Bay from Perth?
Coral Bay is approximately 1200km from Perth. You can self-drive from Perth or any other destination as there is a sealed road servicing Coral Bay. Alternatively you can fly with Qantas or Skywest airlines into Exmouth (Learmonth). Flights take 2 hours from Perth. Skywest operates 2 flights daily from Perth, whilst Qantas currently operates 6 days per week.
How do we get from Exmouth to Coral Bay?
If flying to Exmouth/Learmonth you can get to Coral Bay via bus or 4wd transfer, scenic flight, or hire car. Learmonth airport is 120km from Coral Bay and takes approximately 1hour and 15 minutes via bus or car. Sail Ningaloo is happy to assist in arranging transfers from Learmonth airport.
How do we get from our accommodation in Coral Bay to Shore Thing?
Sail Ningaloo provides complimentary transfers from all Coral Bay accommodation to the Coral Bay jetty where you will board Shore Thing.
I’m a scuba diver, what do I need to bring?
Sail Ningaloo provides tanks, weight belts, wetsuits, masks and fins. You will need to provide your own BCD, regulators and dive computer. Sail Ningaloo can assist in hiring this equipment from a local dive operator should you require it. You also need to bring you dive certification card.
When is the best time to see Manta Rays?
Manta Rays can be seen all year round. Peak sightings generally occur during March, April and May.
When is the best time to see Whale Sharks?
Whale Sharks can be seen at Ningaloo Reef from March through to July each year.
When is the best time to see Humpback Whales?
Humpback whales start to migrate north past Ningaloo from mid June. They can be seen all the way up to the end of October.
When is the best time to see Dugongs?
Dugongs feed in Ningaloo’s sheltered waters from March through to May.
When is the best time to see Reef Sharks?
Reef sharks can be seen all year round at Ningaloo Reef. They can be observed whilst snorkeling and scuba diving. Sightings peak during the summer months.
When is the best time to see Marine Turtles?
Marine Turtles can be seen all year round on Ningaloo Reef whilst snorkeling and scuba diving. From October through to February they nest on beaches all along the Ningaloo Reef.
If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact the Sail Ningaloo team.