General Questions
Absolutely. Sailing aboard Shore Thing lets you access remote, untouched parts of the reef that day tours rarely reach. With multiple daily in-water activities and no long trips from shore, it’s the most immersive and uncrowded way to explore Ningaloo.
The Ningaloo Reef offers a more intimate, uncrowded, and easily accessible experience compared to the Great Barrier Reef. At Ningaloo, the reef lies just offshore, making snorkelling and diving incredibly convenient — especially on a liveaboard, where you can explore remote, pristine sites with minimal travel time, maximising this experience by giving you extended time on the water and access to the region’s best, least-visited locations.
Absolutely! There is so much more to the Ningaloo than the big spotty fish! Think spectacular snorkelling & diving sites, epic marine life encounters, warm days and west coast sunsets over the Indian ocean, deep limestone gorges of the Cape Range and an array of natural wonders.
About Our Tours
All tours depart from Coral Bay, Western Australia. Sail Ningaloo is happy to assist in booking transfers from Learmonth airport. *Please note transfers to Coral Bay must be booked in advance, they do not meet every flight.
We offer 3-night, 5-night & 8-night liveaboard sailing tours, as well as private charters for families, friends, or special occasions. Each tour is designed to showcase the very best of the Ningaloo Reef, with plenty of time to relax, snorkel, sail, dive and explore.
Our vessel caters for a maximum of 8-10 guests, subject to cabin configurations, ensuring an intimate, personalised experience with plenty of space and attention from our friendly, professional crew.
Your tour includes all meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, snorkelling gear, wetsuits, guided activities, and transfers to and from the vessel from Coral Bay accommodation. You simply bring your clothes, swimwear, and sense of adventure!
Alcohol is NOT included in the price of your tour aboard Shore Thing. A selection of reasonably priced Western Australian wines and beers along with local and international spirits are available for purchase onboard. You can pay for your alcohol purchases onboard, at the end of your trip, with cash, bank transfer or credit card (please note additional charges apply for credit card purchases).
Snorkelling, Diving & Marine Life
Whilst prior experience is encouraged, we welcome guests with a range of abilities and for beginners, our crew can provide guidance, flotation aids and in-water support. All of our in-water activities are guided by our experienced crew.
Yes, certified divers (minimum Open Water) can scuba dive onboard Shore Thing. Guests must have a minimum 1 logged dive within 12 months of their tour date and complete a PADI dive medical questionnaire along with providing their dive details. Guests can bring their own dive gear or we provide dive gear hire (BCD & regulator at a fee) – please enquire when booking.
Ningaloo offers amazing experiences year-round:
- March–August: Whale shark season
- June–October: Humpback whale season
- Year Round: All other marine life
Ningaloo Reef is teeming with life — you may encounter turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, colourful fish, and vibrant coral gardens. Depending on the season, humpback whales (June–October) are also often spotted.
- Manta Rays can be seen all year round.
- Humpback Whales start to migrate north past Ningaloo from mid June. They can be seen regularly until the end of September, with highest numbers witnessed during July and August.
- Dugongs can be seen all year round although they are shy animals and sightings can’t be guaranteed. They are more common between March and June.
- Whale Sharks can be seen from March onwards at Ningaloo and have been sighted in recent years through September from Exmouth. They are wild animals and every season is different so please take the time to discuss how the current season is going with your Sail Ningaloo consultant.
- Reef sharks can be seen all year round at Ningaloo Reef. They can be observed whilst snorkelling and scuba diving. Sightings peak during the summer months.
- Marine Turtles can be seen all year round on Ningaloo Reef whilst snorkelling and scuba diving. From October through to February they nest on beaches all along the Ningaloo Reef and hatchlings emerge December through March.
Ningaloo enjoys warm, sunny weather most of the year. Expect daytime temperatures between 25–35°C and mild evenings – Link to weather page
Life On Board
Our catamaran Shore Thing features spacious, air-conditioned cabins with double, king or twin-bed configurations and private facilities. Social areas, shaded deck space, and plenty of room to relax make it an easy and enjoyable liveaboard experience.
All meals are freshly prepared on board using local ingredients. You can look forward to delicious, home-style cooking and plenty of variety. We’re happy to cater for special dietary requirements — just let us know in advance.
As Shore Thing operates in a remote area, whilst there is no Wi-Fi, mobile reception is intermittent (Telstra and limited Optus coverage only). On our longer 5 & 8 night tours, check with your Skipper as to the times when reception will likely be unavailable at our most remote sites so you can plan contact with friends/family if required.
Our vessel is fully equipped with:
- Shaded outdoor lounge and dining area
- Comfortable indoor saloon
- Freshwater showers
- Snorkelling and dive gear
- Charging points for cameras and small devices
It is very uncommon for guests aboard Shore Thing to get sea sick. Our tours are designed so that the vessel can remain inside and sail the sheltered confines of the reef and avoid unfavourable conditions. Additionally, the vessel boasts exceptional stability due to its large size and wide design, further reducing the likelihood of seasickness. Our crew are well trained to assist guests avoid situations whereby they may feel ill and the vessel always anchors inside the reef at night in safe and calm conditions. If you are unsure or prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing personal medication.
Travel & Preparation
If flying to Exmouth / Learmonth you can get to Coral Bay via transfer bus, scenic flight, or hire car. Learmonth airport is 110km from Coral Bay and takes approximately 1hour and 15 minutes via bus or car. Exmouth town is 150km from Coral Bay and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Sail Ningaloo is happy to assist in booking transfers from Learmonth airport. *Please note transfers to Coral Bay must be booked in advance, they do not meet every flight.
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 airlines into Exmouth (Learmonth) everyday. Flights take 2 hours from Perth. Our tours are scheduled to depart and return to allow enough time to catch the afternoon flights.
If self-driving have a look at our Coral Bay to Perth road trip guide.
For a pre tour night or two, we recommend staying in Coral Bay or for further exploration of the Ningaloo region, we recommend staying in Exmouth. Our reservations team can provide options to suit your requirements and budget.
For before/after your Sail Ningaloo tour – swim with whale sharks/humpback whales on a day tour, snorkel Turquoise Bay, Cape Range hikes and kayak tours, scenic flights and unique accommodation options. Our Reservations team can tailor a package itinerary to suit your interests.
Check out our What’s Included page which also has a suggested packing list.
Booking & Policies
Our tours fill up quickly, particularly during whale shark and humpback whale seasons. We recommend booking 6–12 months in advance to secure your preferred dates and cabin type.
Safety is our top priority. Tours proceed as scheduled in most conditions and our crew take into account the conditions of each day as to the sites visited. Guests will be kept informed of any changes.
Yes! Private charters are perfect for families, small groups, or special events. You can customise your itinerary for a truly exclusive Ningaloo experience.
Children aged 7 years and older are welcome on shared tour departures. Private charters can accommodate younger children upon request.
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly for details.
Sustainability & Conservation
We’re proud to operate with a strong environmental focus. Our tours follow Eco Certified practices — we minimise waste, use eco-friendly products, and educate guests about the delicate reef ecosystem to help preserve it for future generations.
Absolutely! By joining our tours, you’re already supporting sustainable tourism. We also encourage guests to use reef-safe sunscreen and to respect all wildlife during encounters.