10 Unique Things To Do In Coral Bay

When visiting a new destination, the first step we always take, is to inform ourselves about possible activities we can join.

When we first visited Coral Bay in Western Australia we did not realize that it offers so many wordclass things to do.

Fastforward, in almost 6 months working and living there, we have tried every single activity and will now spill the secrets of the top 10 experiences we would recommend to you.

Whether you are on a budget and looking for free things to do or even tours to join, this guide with the 10 Unique Things To Do In Coral Bay will help you to make your visit unforgettable.

There is an activity for everyone whether you are a solo traveler, family or a couple. If you are interested in a more in-depth version of this guide then click here.

The activities we are about to list are in no specific order but we made sure to give you a good mix so you can decide which one best fits your needs.

So without further ado, let’s get started with the 10 Unique Things To Do In Coral Bay, Western Australia:

1. Snorkel At Bill’s Bay (Perfect For Beginners)

Walking through the town of Coral bay, this is most likely the first beach you will end up on. Bill’s bay is situated right at the end of Coral bay and is usally the main relaxing spot for all visitors.

When you set foot on this white beach, you will immediately realize how shallow and blue the water is.

This makes it a perfect spot for beginners to practice their snorkelling skills.

Even more lucky, that the famous Ningaloo reefs borders this beach, making it incredible for witnessing the special underwater life only a few feet away from shore.

If you bring your own snorkeling gear, this activity will completely be free but if you are after a stress-free holiday without too much packing beforehand, then you can rent gear from Ningaloo Kayak Adventures +61 437 523 254.

They are located right at the beach and are impossible to miss.

When you snorkel at Bill’s bay you can encounter large schools of fish, vibrant coral, harmless reef sharks and rays.

Although accidents are very rare, please never snorkel or dive alone to always have help on hand if you get tired.

2. Snorkel With Turtles At Five Fingers Reef

In our 6 months working and holidaying in Coral bay, we have seen about 200 turtles and snorkeled with one almost every day!

Some spots are more likely for seeing them and our favorite amongst all is Five Fingers reef. It is located south of the town and requires a 4WD to access.

Alternatively, you can walk there and it will take you about an hour to get there.

Whether you choose to walk or you take your 4WD to the beach, make sure to visit early morning, especially during high season.

Once there are too many people in the water, the turtles leave the area.

Once you are at five fingers reef beach, it is only a matter of putting on your mask and admiring the coral reef for 30 min to 1 hour.

You will automatically “bump into” turtles as they love hanging around the delicate reef system.

If you still cannot seem to find any turtles, we recommend you to go on a guided tour. These are run by locals who know every single turtle spot in Coral bay. You can find a suitable tour here:

3. Go Fishing (Free And Organised Tour)

Being home to the world famous Ningaloo Reef, Coral bay offers amazing opportunities to catch prized fish right of the beach or on one of the fishing charters.

As far as beach fishing goes, we would recommend trying your luck at Maud’s landing, five fingers reef or off the Coral bay jetty wall.

At Maud’s landing, people have previously caught Spanish Mackarel, Cobia and other large pelagic species as it is very close to the outer reef.

At Five Fingers Reef, your main species will be spanish flags, spangeled emperors or trevally.

Coral bay jetty is very famous around sunset for squid or spangeled emperor.

However, if you really want to stock up your freezer and catch some rare species, we recommend joining a fishing charter like Seaforce Coral Bay Fishing Charter +61 429 034 540.

We were lucky to be invited on a fishing trip by our boss and were able to catch a whopping 15 fish per person.

The species that we caught were red emperors, goldband snapper and tomato cod.

Just the experience by itself was absolutely mind-blowing and the moment you hook a fish is an awesome adrenaline spike.

4. Walk To The Coral Bay Shark Sanctuary

Only a 15-20min walk from Bill’s bay, you can witness multiple sharks cruising through the shallows.

The protective waters in this bay give sharks the opportunity to rest and even have their newborn.

To find the exact location, you have to walk to Bill’s bay and then turn right and walk along the beach for 15-20mins.

Once you reach a sign explaining the shark sanctuary you have made it.

The best time to spot the baby reef sharks is from September – March but honestly, in our opinion you will almost be guaranteed to see at least two any time of the year.

5. Swim With Whalesharks (Best Experience In Western Australia)

This has to be one of the best experiences on the Western Australian Coast if not one of the best experiences in the world.

These gentle giants migrate from Indonesia further south along the Indian Ocean from March to July.

The first time we swam with a whaleshark was at the very beginning of march, which technically still counts as the off-season in Coral bay.

Visitor numbers were low and we got to swim with 5 individual whalesharks!!!

One of the best experiences we have ever done and we managed to swim with them again when we purchased a boat in Coral bay.

Swimming without an organised tour is nearly impossible because whalesharks swim too far from shore and are not that easy to spot.

If you are looking to join a charter, here is our top recommendation to swim with a whaleshark coral bay:

6. Swim With The Majestic Coral Bay Manta Rays

Another marine encounter that should be on your travel bucketlist.

Luckily for you, Coral Bay is one of the best places on earth to swim with Manta Rays, because they can be found swimming around the crystal clear waters all year round.

We wouldn’t be good local bloggers if we wouldn’t tell you how to swim with them for FREE!

To swim with Manta Rays for free, you can either walk along Bill’s Bay for about 1hr or take your 4WD to Maud’s landing and walk to this point and swim out to the darker passage:

WARNING: This area has one of the highest populations of Tiger Sharks in Ningaloo Reef.

Therefore, we would only recommend this spot to you if you are confident with encountering larger sharks.

The tour operators take you to this exact spot but there is always a guide and multiple people in the water so the likelyhood of encountering a tiger shark under a controlled environment is higher. We recommend you to book this tour for a 100% chance of swimming with a manta ray:

7. Grab Pastries At Coral Bay Resort Bakery (Our Workplace)

Back in 2022 when we used to work here, we would grab a lot of sausage rolls, pies and sweets and head to the beach after work.

In the high season, this is a very popular option amongst visitors as it is the only option to purchase fresh bread and other yummy options.

Perfect for budget travellers too with prices starting as low as 3 AUD.

Make sure to come very early during holiday season as we sometimes had over a 100 people waiting in line to grab a coffee and a meat pie.

8. Swim With Whales / Go Whale Watching

Swimming and observing humpback whales in their natural habitat has to be one of the coolest and most humbling experiences ever.

Although this is a seasonal activity in Coral bay, it is one not to be missed and 100% worth the money.

From July – End of September, hundreds of Humpback Whales can be found migrating down the Ningaloo Coast to make it to Antarctica.

Your chances of seeing them are the highest in August.

This is also when the weather is the nicest and winds are backing off.

We recommend these tours to you (our friends approved this recommendation):

9. Have A Beer And Meal At Bill’s

Our favorite choice amongst all restaurants for atmosphere and food is Bill’s Pub.

Featuring a pool table, darts and live sports with a nice outside and inside seating area.

Perfect for families or couples and no reservation needed on most days.

After a long day out snorkeling and exploring, we can highly recommend their burgers or prawn linguine.

10. Go Spearfishing From The Beach

Spearfishing is a very popular sport amongst West Aussies and is becoming bigger every year.

Having ningaloo reef as your playground is a one of a lifetime experience for many spearos.

Therefore, renting or bringing your own speargun is recommended.

Our favorite spot for spearfishing is around the edges of five fingers reef as it is accessible to everyone.

Here you can find spanish flags, parrotfish or spangeled emperor.

Due to spearfishing regulations ningaloo marine park e.g. five fingers reef is a no take zone for cod, coral trout and bluebone for spearos.

Therefore, please do not shoot these species as fisheries will take your license and fine you up to 5000$ for it.

Coral Bay Accommodation

Before coming to Coral bay, it is crucial to plan ahead and book your accommodation beforehand.

Hotels and Caravan Parks can be booked out months in advance when the holiday season is in full swing, so please secure your place to stay in Coral bay early enough.

We use booking.com to book our accommodation beforehand:

Ningaloo Reef Resort Coral Bay

This used to be the best option for visitors who like to have an all inclusive resort experience, however RAC insurance has bought this complex and their 70 million dollar project is set to be finished in 2026.

As of 2024, it is still closed but will be an option in the future.

Bayview Caravan Park Coral Bay

Bayview Coral Bay offers a variety of accommodation options, including cabins, chalets, and campsites.

With facilities like a swimming pool, family-friendly environment, BBQ areas, and a playground, Bayview Coral Bay is the most popular option in town.

Peoples Park Coral Bay

For those who like oceanfront camping, Peoples Park Coral Bay is the right choice.

Peoples Park is ideal for travelers on a budget.

As everywhere in coral bay, first come first serve so make sure you book ahead.

Coral Bay Backpackers

Budget-conscious travelers and backpackers will find Coral Bay Backpackers a welcoming and affordable option.

Being the very first building you see when you enter coral bay, it offers dormitory-style rooms, private rooms, and shared facilities.

With a communal kitchen, lounge area, and friendly social atmosphere, Coral Bay Backpackers is perfect for meeting fellow travelers and exploring the area’s attractions.

It is also the only coral bay hostel.

Coral Bay House Rentals

If you are a large group, this is the best value for money.

There is no Airbnb coral bay and very little private housing in coral bay but the few people that own one are renting them out for peak season.

The houses are spacious with the best views and can fit up to ten people.

Here is the correct website: Rent a house in coral bay .

10 Unique Things To Do In Coral Bay – FAQ