How to use this list
These twelve experiences are an editorial selection, not an official ranking. Some need a licensed tour, some a tide table and some only good shoes. Closed or paused offers are not counted: diving at the Exmouth Navy Pier is left out because the operator reports a maintenance closure.
Most sights are in or near Cape Range National Park. Driving in costs A$17 per vehicle with up to 12 people, or A$10 with a concession, as listed on 20 August 2026. Walkers and cyclists pay no park entry fee. Entry to the Ningaloo Marine Park itself is free.
Experiences 1 to 6: tours, beaches and the visitor centre
Tours first, then the best-known snorkelling and walking spots.
1. Swim with whale sharks from Exmouth
This is a snorkel trip with a licensed operator. The park authority lists whale sharks from March to July on one page and from March to August on another, so treat both as visiting hints, not a guarantee. One operator publishes A$660 for an adult and A$250 for an observer, as listed in October 2026.
Whale shark guide →2. Swim with humpback whales on a licensed tour
Swimming with humpbacks is only possible on a matching tour. One operator lists August to mid-October and A$600 from age 13. Swimming with mothers and calves is not allowed, but you can watch from the boat.
Humpback whale guide →3. Turquoise Bay
The Drift Loop leads to the area south of the sand spit, with a drift from south to north and an entry after about 200 m on foot to the south. Strong currents are possible, especially at the sandbar between the Bay Loop and the Drift Loop. Inexperienced swimmers should stay out. Rangers do not patrol the beach regularly.
Turquoise Bay →4. Oyster Stacks at high tide
Snorkel here only at high tide, with a tide of at least 1.2 m. Check the tide times at the Milyering Discovery Centre. The entry has sharp, slippery rock, shells and coral rubble, so wear proper shoes. Currents and swell are possible, and you should not snorkel alone.
Snorkelling guide →5. Yardie Creek on foot
The Yardie Nature Walk is 1.2 km return, class 1, about 40 minutes. The Ningaloo Centre lists 1.25 km and class 2 for it. It continues as the Yardie Gorge Trail, class 4. The gorge is home to the threatened black-flanked rock-wallaby and to ospreys, but sightings are never certain. There are picnic tables and toilets.
Yardie Creek →6. Milyering Discovery Centre
The centre is open daily from 9:00 to 15:45 and closed on Christmas Day. It is about 54 km from Exmouth. It has exhibitions, visitor information, a shop and snorkel hire. Camping must be booked online through Park Stay, and the centre offers self-service devices and an after-hours Wi-Fi hotspot for the booking portal. The vehicle entry fee for the park applies.
Cape Range National Park →Our picks: things to do
A boat through the gorge, a kayak trip with snorkelling and stargazing in the park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Half-day kayak and snorkel tour
Four hours in a double sea kayak with life jacket, snorkelling gear, wetsuit, dry bag, snacks and hotel transfer. At least four participants are needed for it to run.
Check availability →
Stargazing with telescopes in Cape Range National Park
Two hours with an astronomy guide, telescopes and seating. Transport and meals are not included, so you drive to the meeting point yourself.
Check availability →
One-hour boat trip through Yardie Creek gorge
A boat ride through the gorge with guide commentary. Park entry and hotel transfer are not included; allow about 90 minutes to drive from Exmouth.
Check availability →Exmouth tours and day trips
Reef, snorkel and wildlife trips from Exmouth, with live prices and availability.
Experiences 7 to 12: lookouts, turtles and the harbour
Views, short walks and one more snorkel spot.
7. Charles Knife Canyon lookouts
The turn-off is about 22 km, or 20 minutes, south of Exmouth. The road is winding, and on the gravel section the park authority recommends four-wheel drive. Caravans and trailers are not recommended because there is little room to turn. One operator reported the neighbouring Shothole Canyon closed on 10 August 2026, so check access before you drive.
Charles Knife and Shothole →8. Jurabi Turtle Centre
The park authority describes the Jurabi Turtle Centre and guided turtle eco-education tours. Turtles nest from November to March, mainly loggerhead and green turtles, and hatchlings are watched in February and March. Hatching comes about 60 days after egg laying, so there is no fixed day. Tour months are given as December to February in one place and late November to March in another, with a fee and booking. Check the current opening and tour times before you go.
9. Vlamingh Head lookout
The lookout is at the base of the lighthouse. It has views over the North West Cape, the Ningaloo, the Muiron Islands and Exmouth. Visitors come for sunset and for humpback watching during the migration from June to November. Neither is guaranteed.
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse →10. Exmouth Boat Harbour
The harbour is about 2 km south of the town centre and is home to commercial fishing boats, charter boats and leisure boats. There are 2 sealed public car parks north of the harbour and a public boat ramp. The toilets and showers at the charter berths are for berth users only. Repairs after Cyclone Narelle can cause temporary limits, but the harbour stays open.
Exmouth →11. Mandu Mandu Gorge
The loop is 3 km, class 4, and steep in places. The park authority recommends early morning or late afternoon. Rock-wallabies can occur, but a sighting is never certain. Carry at least 4 litres of water per person.
Cape Range National Park →12. Lakeside snorkelling area
From the beach, walk about 500 m south to the sanctuary marker. The snorkelling area lies between the beach and the yellow buoys. All marine life is protected here, so look but do not touch. Currents are possible, and heavy rain or high spring tides can flood the area.
Snorkelling guide →Heat, season and safety
What changes the list from month to month.
| Topic | Window | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme heat on walks | November to March | Temperatures above 45 °C are possible. Carry at least 4 litres of water per person, pick a cooler time of day and stay back from cliff edges. |
| Park hiking advice | April to September | The park overview recommends hiking only in these months. |
| Cyclone season | 1 November to 30 April | Cyclones are rare outside the season but possible. |
| Marine stingers | Especially November to April | Dangerous jellyfish can occur. Do not assume the water is jellyfish-free all year. |
| Tide-dependent snorkelling | All year | Oyster Stacks needs a tide of at least 1.2 m. |
After Cyclone Narelle, the Shire asks visitors to confirm their accommodation before arrival, because rebuilding and limited capacity may continue. For the long route from Perth, see getting there.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where these experiences fit.
Ningaloo tours compared
Whale shark, humpback and reef trips side by side.
Weather and best time
Monthly climate and which season suits which animal.
Where to stay in Exmouth
Town, harbour or Cape Range: which area fits.
Coral Bay is a separate base with its own manta ray snorkel tours throughout the year. You can find it in the guide to Coral Bay. This site stays with Exmouth and the northern Ningaloo coast.
Things to do in Exmouth: frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in Exmouth?
That depends on the season and your comfort in the water. The list above is not a ranking. A tour with a licensed operator is the way to meet whale sharks or humpbacks, and Turquoise Bay or Lakeside suit a self-guided snorkel on a calm day.
Can I snorkel from the beach?
Yes, at spots such as Turquoise Bay, Lakeside and Oyster Stacks. Each has its own limits: currents at Turquoise Bay, a marker walk at Lakeside and a minimum tide of 1.2 m at Oyster Stacks. Never snorkel alone.
Do I have to pay to enter Cape Range National Park?
Yes, if you drive in. The fee is A$17 per vehicle with up to 12 people, or A$10 with a concession, as listed on 20 August 2026. Walkers and cyclists pay no entry fee. Camping fees are separate.
Can I climb the Vlamingh Head lighthouse?
The lookout is at the base of the lighthouse. Plan for the view, not for a climb.
Is it safe to walk in Cape Range in summer?
Walks can be dangerous from November to March because of heat above 45 °C, little shade and no water on the trails. The park overview recommends hiking only from April to September.