World Australia Western Australia Coral Bay

Katherine and Brian See Western Australia Brian and Katherine's Australian Trip Winter 2009.

Coral Bay Sep 20, 2009

The long drive down from Onslow to Coral Bay, was through semi-desert country again, with very few trees and areas of long sand dunes but otherwise flat. It was a relief to finally arrive in Coral Bay and settle into the van park, directly opposite the beach. The beautiful turquoise colour of the water in the bay is probably the first vivid impression you get. In this bay the Ningaloo Reef is very close to the shoreline and it's easy to snorkel directly off the beach. Coral Bay itself consists of just two caravan parks, a supermarket and a few shops and a hotel. There is no town as such. Various fishing, snorkelling, coral viewing tours can be booked here and in the tourist season (May till October) it is a very busy place. Very popular with families with young children despite the long journey to get here, from the north or the south.

Boating and snorkelling on the reef seem to be the main pastimes here, also 4 wheel driving tours and quad bike/snorkelling tours (which we decided to do). We had a great time on the quad bike, riding through the sand dunes and our tour took us to two lovely snorkelling beaches where of course we had to have a go. However, the water was freezing! Nevertheless we enjoyed our stay here.