In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Ningaloo Reef.
Table of contents
Dive Summary
The Ningaloo Reef stretches for over 260 km! It is much closer to the shore than the Great Barrier Reef and is also much less popular. So if you don’t like the crowds, the Ningaloo Reef may be a good alternative for you.
The coral on the Ningaloo Reef is very beautiful but the majority of divers come here to try spot a Whale Shark! These gentle giants congregate around the Ningaloo Reef to feed in the water which is full of plankton from March to June. Your best chances to see them is during April and May.
If you aren't lucky enough to see any Whale Sharks, the diving certainly makes up for it! During the winter months you may also encounter Manta Rays! Dolphins and Humpback Whales are very common too as well as Turtles as they come here to nest on the beaches.
The Ningaloo Reef is also a great place for Critter lovers and for Underwater Macro Photography with many invertebrates to discover. There is a very unusual dive site named Navy Pier with stunning Marine life, a real paradise for photography. In fact, the Navy Pier spot has been voted one of the Top Ten Dive Sites here on Divezone!
How to dive Ningaloo Reef?
You can easily dive the Ningaloo Reef on a day trip but if you want to dive more remote places and check out less dived parts of the reef, then you might be better taking a Liveaboard tour for a few days.
Snorkelling in Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef offers fantastic opportunities for snorkellers too. The local dive operators even organize snorkelling tours to go swimming with Whale Sharks. They use spotter planes to be sure to find the Sharks and you will then have the chance to swim with several of them in the same trip if you're lucky!
Unfortunately, due to the costs of using the plane and boat, these trips can be quite expensive, at around $400. If it is not the right season for spotting Whale Sharks, you can still discover superb and shallow coral gardens.
If you are in Coral Bay, you can also snorkel on the reef directly off the beach. Snorkelling gear is available for rent close to the beach.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpaulyoung/2770115921/
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Ningaloo Reef Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Dive spots in Ningaloo Reef
User reviews
If you have been diving in this area, you can share your experience with other divers by posting your Dive Review in the comments below:
If you have any other feedback or updated information about this destination, please leave a comment. We regularly improve our Diving reviews after reviewing your feedback!
↑ Back to top
