What a Ningaloo dive looks like in 2026
Two well-known dive sites are not available on the usual terms. The Exmouth Navy Pier has a maintenance closure with no reopening date, and Dive Ningaloo has paused its dive trips to the Muiron Islands since 21 August 2025. Neither is an official ban on the area. Both are statements by the operator.
What the operator lists today is a reef trip called Ningaloo Reef Westside, for certified divers, for beginners with an introductory dive and for snorkellers. This page explains each option and what to check before you book.
Dive options compared
Status as published by the operator in October 2026.
| Option | Status | Listed price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ningaloo Reef Westside, certified divers | Listed | A$320, 2 dives | Equipment, guides, lunch, snacks and drinks included |
| Ningaloo Reef Westside, Discover Scuba | Listed | A$435, 2 dives | Introductory option, same inclusions |
| Ningaloo Reef Westside, snorkelling | Listed | A$275 | Same inclusions |
| Exmouth Navy Pier | Closed for maintenance, no reopening date | – | Do not plan around it |
| Muiron Islands dives (Dive Ningaloo) | Paused since 21 August 2025 | – | Operator decision, not a general ban |
Dive sites on the day depend on the conditions, and the described depths run from 8 to 24 m. A listed price does not show free places on your date.
Ningaloo reef tours
Boat trips, snorkel and swim tours from Exmouth, with live prices and availability.
Navy Pier: closed for maintenance
A military site with a single licence holder.
The Navy Pier is an active military facility and has no general public access. You can only dive it with a licensed operator. Dive Ningaloo describes itself as the only licence holder. It reports an extensive maintenance closure and is waiting for notice from Defence. No reopening date is given, so do not book a trip around the pier.
The operator's page still shows prices from before the closure: A$230 for a single dive, A$300 for a double dive and A$50 per person per day for Defence access. They are not evidence that tours run.
If it reopens: identification
The operator's terms ask for an original passport or an Australian photo driving licence. For minors, the ID must be approved by Defence in advance, usually with at least 3 days' notice.
If it reopens: tides
Tidal currents at the pier are strong. Dives take place around slack water, so the time and whether it is a single or double dive depend on the tide.
Muiron Islands: what changed
A pause by one operator, not a closure of the islands.
Dive Ningaloo suspended its dive activities at the Muiron Islands from 21 August 2025 because of stress on the reef from the marine heatwave. It replaced them with the Westside trip. No general official closure of the island waters is on record.
Other offers differ. Ningaloo Discovery still describes an island snorkel trip to the Muiron Islands from Bundegi, about 30 minutes by boat. That is a description of the offer and not a promise of a trip on any day, and Bundegi road closures can affect access. Check the current road notices and the operator before you plan around it.
Reef condition and what you can expect to see
Why 2025 matters for divers.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science documented serious damage during the marine heatwave of 2024/25. At surveyed Ningaloo sites, high bleaching and mortality categories of 31 to 60 percent were reported in May 2025, especially at Tantabiddi and Jurabi. Bleaching is not the same as death, and corals can recover. A fully healthy or fully recovered reef is not something to assume, and reports about other reefs do not apply here.
In April 2026 a model for Cyclone Narelle pointed to likely severe damage on the northern reef, with significant wave heights of up to 11 m. That was a model and not a dive survey. Fish and other marine life remain part of the dive, but sightings are not guaranteed. In sanctuary zones such as Lakeside, all marine life is protected, so look and do not touch.
Planning your dive trip
Season, getting there and bases.
Cyclone season
The official season runs from 1 November to 30 April, and the north-west coast between Broome and Exmouth is especially exposed. Cyclones are rare outside that period but possible.
Stingers
Dangerous jellyfish can occur, especially from November to April.
Base and travel
Exmouth is the base for these trips, and the Shire asks visitors to confirm accommodation before arriving after Cyclone Narelle in April 2026. See where to stay in Exmouth, how to get there and weather by month.
Coral Bay
Coral Bay at the southern end of the reef is a separate base. The Coral Bay guide covers it.
Diving at Ningaloo: frequently asked questions
Can I dive the Exmouth Navy Pier?
Not at the moment. The operator that describes itself as the only licence holder reports a maintenance closure with no reopening date. Prices still shown on its page are not evidence that tours run.
Are the Muiron Islands closed to divers?
Not by a general ban. Dive Ningaloo has paused its own dive trips there since 21 August 2025. Other operators describe different offers, so check each one.
How much does a Ningaloo dive trip cost?
The Westside trip is listed at A$320 for certified divers with 2 dives and A$435 for Discover Scuba with 2 dives in 2026. Snorkellers pay A$275. Equipment, guides, lunch, snacks and drinks are included.
Can beginners dive at Ningaloo?
The Discover Scuba option is the introductory choice on the Westside trip. Ask the operator about the requirements for your age and health before you book.
How deep are the dives?
The Westside dives are described at 8 to 24 m. The sites vary by day and conditions.