Coral Bay

Back when we first started planning this trip, every time we spoke to someone who has travelled through WA they told us to go to Coral Bay. We kept hearing over and over how it is their favourite. Having seen some of what WA can offer eg the Kimberly and Cape Leveque I thought that Coral Bay would have to be pretty special to compete. Well I have to say that all those people were right. It is absolutely amazing here. The beach is like something out of a Pacific Island brochure. But the thing that I like best about Coral Bay is that it is so underdeveloped. If this was the East Coast there would be resorts everywhere and shopping centers and restaurants etc. Instead there are lots of dive shops, 2 tiny (but very expensive) supermarkets, a bakery, a newsagent and 2 small restaurants. The only accommodation is 2 caravan parks, a small hotel and a backpackers. There really is nothing here, it is like a sleepy country town. Except that it is located on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.






The dark patches on the edge of the photo above is Ningaloo Reef. Again you can snorkel right off the beach. For those like Jack who are interested in facts it is called a fringing reef rather than a barrier reef like in Qld. The snorkelling here is better than Cape Range. The coral is beautiful and there are patches of blue, yellow and purple coral. There are fish everywhere and they swim right past your fingers. The fish swim around your ankles when you are standing on the edge of the water! The water is getting colder but it is still very warm in the shallows.



This picture is from the boat ramp looking back towards the town.

The kids are still really enjoying playing on the beach so that is what we have done most days. This is Charlie in his racing car.


Michael and I have been snorkeling and Jack and Tom have enjoyed it too. Tom found it hard to get used to snorkeling at first but we ditched the snorkel and now he just uses the mask and swims with a noodle and he is doing really well. We haven't managed to get Charlie in yet but he is usually happy playing on the beach with his cars. We will stay here at least a week as we just found out how cold it is down south. Only 25 in Canarvon which really is quite warm but not when you have been in temperatures around 35 for the last 6 weeks!