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After towing a boat for 1,100 kilometres, it’s a relief to arrive in gorgeous Coral Bay.
Located on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast, the pace of life in Perth quickly becomes a distant memory as we kick into relaxation mode in this remote holiday town. There are no high rise buildings, the main road is buried under a layer of sand, and the ‘traffic’ consists of one or two quad bikes cruising past.
Having ditched our civvies and donned the requisite boardies, sarongs, and thongs, we set off on foot to explore the town. Established in 1933 with the building of a single beach shack, today Coral Bay has accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. There are camping grounds, caravan parks, a backpacker lodge, holiday cabins and chalets, and even an air-conditioned resort.
We bump into Grant from Coral Bay Shells, which sells gorgeous jewellery, souvenirs and trinkets, and surf wear. Easily recognised by his gravelly voice, mahogany tan, and West Coast Eagles scarf, Grant’s owned this popular shop since 1989 and he’s always up for a chat!
Our tour of the tiny town centre complete, we scramble into swimwear and head for the beach — snorkels and goggles at the ready. An incredible diversity of marine life inhabits Ningaloo Reef — Australia’s only ‘fringing reef’ — where the coral begins right at the water’s edge. With the temperature climbing into the 30s, the glass-like sea is warm and welcoming. Silver snapper weave around our ankles as we wade through the shallows, before drifting along with the gentle current.
Neon blue fish, squid, cod, seahorses, and occasional ‘Nemos’ dart in and out of the 250 species of coloured coral found on the reef. Further out, a lone turtle munches on seaweed. I watch with amazement as he floats right by me, all but oblivious to my presence.
Deep sea fishing and whale watching tours are available, but we decide to head out in our own boat and cast lines for trevally and Spanish mackerel. Our attention is diverted from fishing by about twenty manta rays foraging for food. Barrel-rolling, their white bellies are stark against the sapphire blue of the sea. They tumble backwards and plunge deep into the dark depths, before rising majestically like birds taking wing on the breeze.
The amazing marine life encounters don’t end there. Several dolphins offer us an escort back to shore, the sun glistening off their leathery skin as they cut effortlessly through the swell ahead of our boat.
Low tide occurs around mid afternoon, and the kids rush to join other holidaymakers on the foreshore at 3.30pm to watch the fish feeding. Dinner is discussed. We could feast on fresh seafood from Fin’s Cafe, or tuck into a steak at Shades Restaurant and Bar (while playing pool and watching sport on the big screen). Final votes are taken and pizzas ordered from Reef Cafe.
We eat on the beach, entranced by the saffron-coloured setting sun.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.australiascoralcoast.com.
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Cover image: Tourism Western Australia. Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Tania Connolly is a freelance writer living in Perth. She loves travelling with her husband and young children, and the family regularly heads to beautiful Coral Bay on the Ningaloo Coast. They have also spent time exploring WA’s South West region, including Margaret River, Dunsborough, Busselton, and Bunbury.
