Spend 5 nights over 6 days aboard this marine safari exploring the pristine Ningaloo Reef. The tour starts as we set sail in smooth calm waters winding our way through spectacular dense coral formations that surround Coral Bay; an exhilarating beginning to your adventure. Sailing via Batemans Bay, home to a population of majestic Manta Rays, there will be plenty of opportunities to view Turtles, Dolphins, Dugongs, Whales (seasonal) without even getting in the water! Then just imagine the thrill of what you may discover when you put on a mask, snorkel and fins!
We visit the historical ruins of Norwegian Bay whaling station and hear tragic tales of the many shipwrecks that lie on the Ningaloo Reef, we will also get an opportunity to snorkel on one of these historic shipwrecks. Sailing over 70km of pristine and remote reef between Coral Bay and Norwegian Bay, all within the calm protected waters of the Ningaloo Reef, there are an abundance of snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking opportunities available along with stunning secluded beaches to explore.
You don’t even have to leave the comfort of “Shore Thing” to marvel at the beautiful marine life that calls the Ningaloo Reef home. Observe turtles and dugongs rising to the surface, graceful rays swimming past, playful dolphins and even Humpback Whales during their annual migrations (June through to October).
“We spent 5 idyllic days on the Shore Thing… If you enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving with delightful, knowledgeable and professional crew then this trip should be perfect. The boat is well equipped for guests. The food provided was exceptional. If you have any worries about sea sickness, don’t be concerned. The Shore Thing stays within Ningaloo Reef in the calmer waters and it wasn’t an issue at all.
We really enjoyed our time on the Shore Thing and would love to return some day. We feel that we got rare and privileged access to Ningaloo Reef as the staff knew all the fantastic spots to dive at.
5 stars from us and well done to Luke and Lannie for running such a professional exceptional business with a genuine commitment to the satisfaction and enjoyment of the guests hosted.
Cabin Type | 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023 |
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Stateroom King/Twin, with private ensuite | $4,350 per person |
Deluxe Double, with private facilities | $3,950 per person |
*All rates are quoted in Australian dollars per person, including Goods and Services Tax (GST)
*Please enquire about single traveller, triple share and child rates
Departs | Returns: | Tour: | Availability | Special Notes |
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Friday, 13 October 2023 | 18-Oct | 5 Night Ningaloo Escape | Contact us for waitlist | |
Wednesday, 25 October 2023 | 30-Oct | 5 Night Ningaloo Escape | 1 Cabin Available | **Special Offer, contact Sail Ningaloo Reservations |
As the tour departs at 4pm, you can fly in to Learmonth in the afternoon (last flight arrives around 14:30 pm) and board the vessel straight from your airport transfer. You are also able to fly out the afternoon the tour returns on the last departing flights (Qantas 15:00 pm on weekdays or approximately 1300 on weekends).
Sail Ningaloo is pleased to offer airport transfers to/from Learmonth airport for all our departing tours (prices start from $90 per person – please mention when making a booking enquiry).
Once you arrive in Coral bay take the short transfer to board “Shore Thing” at the local marine facility for a 4pm departure. Should timing allow, enjoy a late afternoon snorkel or dive before enjoying a cool drink as the sunsets and the vessel sails to its overnight anchorage. Before the evening meal is served, have a go at fishing from the back deck, with the opportunity for a fresh caught meal.
Following breakfast, enjoy a morning snorkel at “Pandora’s Garden”, a beautiful coral garden exhibiting stunning plate coral formations and home to numerous marine turtles. After morning tea set sail for our next snorkel location the “North Reef Nursery” where we see reef sharks and rays getting cleaned as we snorkel along sandy underwater pathways fringed by hard coral outcrops rising to the waters surface. Enjoy a freshly prepared gourmet buffet lunch before immersing yourself into Ningaloo’s clear waters or relaxing on the deck of Shore Thing. The day winds down with another snorkel before a sumptuous two course meal. At the end of each day review your photos or the images the crew has collected over the day of the various species of reef fish and corals. Learn and discuss the unique behaviors of the marine creatures you have observed and get some advice on the best way to interact and experience the best that Ningaloo has to offer.
Sailing north into Chabjuwardoo Bay we navigate via Stanley Pool and explore the edge of the contrasting waters where the sand has been shaped by the waters movement to form distinct pools of deep blue water. We seek out dugongs, dolphins and whales (seasonal) as we travel to our days snorkeling and diving destinations. With multiple opportunities to snorkel numerous coral gardens, your crew and guides will select the best sites based on the conditions. Snorkel and Dive sites along this section of the reef are only visited by Shore Thing and have been personally named by the crew. Some of the favorites include “The Fishbowl”, “Holey Moley”, “Turtle Pond” and “Lost City”.
After breakfast, step ashore and explore the ruins of the historic whaling station at Norwegian Bay, abandoned in the 1950’s. Learn about life in the whaling days on this remote stretch of coastline and have the opportunity the snorkel the “Finn Shipwreck”, an old whaling chaser. We seek out dugongs and dolphins as we travel to our afternoon snorkeling and diving destinations, which could include “The Green Mile”, a feeding ground for green turtles. This afternoon step ashore at Point Cloates and enjoy watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean with a birds eye view from the top of the sand dunes, before returning to Shore Thing for the evening.
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely kayaking trip along the secluded coastline of Jane’s Bay, keeping an eye out for large rays resting and turtles feeding in the shallow waters. Your crew and guides will then select the best snorkel or dive sites based on the conditions. Some of the favorites include “Cloates Corner”, The Benan Shipwreck” and “Central Station”, seeing hundreds of species of colourful reef fish and a good chance to see reef sharks and turtles cruising by. We seek out dugongs and dolphins as we travel to our evenings anchorage at Point Maud. From June – October there is a fantastic opportunity to observe Humpback Whales as they migrate along the Ningaloo coast.
Sailing to more snorkel sites to experience the best marine life based on the conditions. Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay is home to a resident population of coastal Manta Rays that frequent the inner reef to mate, give birth and feed. Enjoy a presentation from your local guide on Manta Ray biology and behavior along the Ningaloo Reef and then snorkel with one of these graceful rays where you can assist identifying the Manta Rays via photo identification. Before a sumptuous buffet lunch, enjoy one last snorkel or dive at “Asho’s Gap” which is a cleaning station for grey reef sharks. Watch as the sharks swim in to a large cabbage coral and hold themselves in the currents with their mouths open, whilst small cleaner fish dart in and out of their mouths and gills.
Return to Coral Bay approximately 12:30pm.
Airport Transfers between Learmonth Airport and Coral Bay are available to meet all scheduled Sail Ningaloo Tours at a cost of $100 per person each way via prior arrangement.