Another short drive up the coast to the southern tip of Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay. We arrived on 10/05/2021, set up and went for a snorkel. Haven’t seen so many people on a beach for a long time but the bay is huge so we never encountered anyone in the water. As we were putting fins on in the shallows huge fish were circling us and it only got better. The coral was lovely with a huge variety and abundance of fish in about 4 metres of water.
On 11/05/2021 Paul went on a dive to see manta ray. First time and so close! He also saw: 4 grey reef sharks, 2 turtles and a parrot fish in a coral bomie. And watched a shark from 2m away, on a cleaning station, with her mouth wide open having her teeth cleaned by very brave and fast cleaner wrasse.
After the manta experience, we drove on a 4wd sand road south to Five Fingers reef for a beautiful shore based snorkel in less than 2m water with good visibility. My favourite fish are the tiny iridescent blue fish which hide on the coral making it seem blue and as the fish scatter the coral seems to open up like flower.
On 12/05/2021 we went on a snorkel trip. Firstly, to a gap between the outer and inner reef called Ashan Cutting and then to the inner reef. The reef is amazing but does not have as much colour as tropical reefs as it’s sub tropical and so photosynthesis is not as active as in tropical waters such as the Great Barrier Reef.
On 13/05/2021 we head further north to Exmouth on the top of Ningaloo for more diving and snorkeling.
