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Global Insight Network

How long is the Ningaloo Reef?

Author

Michael King

Updated on April 29, 2026

260-kilometre

Also know, how big is the Ningaloo Reef?

260 km long

Also, is Ningaloo Reef dying? Ningaloo Reef could be wiped in 30 years, warns Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. WA's Ningaloo Reef could be wiped out within three decades unless fossil fuels are phased out and the world changes dramatically to deal with a warming planet, according to a landmark report.

Besides, what is the best time to visit Ningaloo Reef?

Ningaloo Reef has something to offer all year round, but the absolute best weather months (in our opinion) are mid March, May, June, September and October. In these months the water is warm, weather patterns are consistent and it's not too busy.

How old is the Ningaloo Reef?

150 million years

Related Question Answers

Are there crocodiles in Ningaloo Reef?

Crocodiles. Crocodiles are not normally found on the Ningaloo Coast, but there have been rare and isolated occurences of estuarine or saltwater (saltie) crocodiles in the area.

Can you fly to Ningaloo Reef?

flight information

Qantas is the only airline that will fly to Exmouth. Visit to book or call 13 13 13. Exmouth's Learmonth Airport is located 36km from town. Exmouth Bus Charters meet every flight and for a small fee they can drop you off at your accommodation in Exmouth.

Where should I stay in Ningaloo?

Where to Stay
  • Ray White Real Estate. 17 Ross St, Exmouth. (
  • Exmouth Cape Real Estate. Shop 1, 2 Ross St Mall, Exmouth. (
  • Exmouth Escape Resort. Welch St, Exmouth. (
  • RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park. 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth. (
  • Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort.
  • Potshot Hotel Resort.
  • Ningaloo Lodge.
  • Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort.

Is Ningaloo Reef bigger than the Great Barrier Reef?

Ningaloo Reef is located approximately 1,200 kilometres north of Perth and is the only large reef positioned close to a landmass. At the other end of the country is the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is world's biggest single structure made by living organisms and can be seen from outer space.

What can you do at Ningaloo Reef?

Most visitors head to the spectacular Ningaloo Reef to experience the thrill of swimming with whale sharks, humpback whales and even manta rays. However, that's just the start of the adventure. From quad biking over sand dunes to kayaking through limestone gorges, add these don't-miss activities to your itinerary.

How far is Exmouth from Ningaloo Reef?

155 kilometres

Are whale sharks dangerous?

Despite its size, the whale shark does not pose any danger to humans. Whale sharks are docile fish and sometimes allow swimmers to catch a ride, although this practice is discouraged by shark scientists and conservationists because of the disturbance to the sharks.

Why is the Ningaloo Reef important?

The most dominant marine habitat is the Ningaloo reef, which sustains both tropical and temperate marine fauna and flora, including marine reptiles and mammals. The property supports rare and large aggregations of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) along with important aggregations of other fish species and marine mammals.

Is Coral Bay or Exmouth better?

So there is no shortage of trips on offer. Exmouth is a proper town, while Coral Bay is a tiny village. Coral Bay you can snorkel straight off the beach, while the best snorkelling from Exmouth is in the NP, a fair drive away. The snorkelling is definitely better in the NP, and I saw more reeflife there than in CB.

What time of year can you swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef?

When are the best times to swim with Whale Sharks? Ningaloo Whalesharks operate whale shark tours from the 15th March to the end of September each year, which covers the entire Ningaloo whale shark season in Exmouth, and we consistently have swum with whale sharks most years at these times.

Is it safe to swim in Exmouth?

The Exmouth coastline offers a number of beautiful sandy beaches and the Town Beach is the most accessible and closest to the town centre. The beach is a safe place to swim, especially at high tide even with children.

What time of year do you swim with whale sharks?

Best Time to Swim with a Whale Shark. The good news is that the likelihood of swimming with a whale shark on your first tour is around 95% success rate from very late March to late July each year.

Where do you fly into for Ningaloo Reef?

Skywest / Virgin and Qantas Airlines operate daily flights Perth to Learmonth Airport. For flight enquiries and reservations please contact Skywest Airlines 1300 66 00 88 or QANTAS 13 13 13. Learmonth Airport is located 36 km south of Exmouth.

When can I swim with whale sharks?

SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER 2020

During the whale shark shoulder season (September to November), Ningaloo Discovery operates ECO Wildlife Tours around the Ningaloo Reef, allowing guests to experience the beauty of the reef and all it has to offer each day.

How do I get from Brisbane to Ningaloo Reef?

There is no direct connection from Brisbane to Ningaloo Coast. However, you can take the train to International Airport station, platform 2, take the walk to Brisbane airport, fly to Learmonth, then take the taxi to Ningaloo Coast.

How far is ningaloo from Broome?

1052 km

Can you scuba dive with whale sharks?

Whale sharks are majestic and graceful giants of the ocean. It can be an extremely humbling experience to get in the water and swim with these beautiful and gentle creatures. In this guide, "dive" means you can scuba diving with whale sharks is possible.

What happens if Great Barrier Reef dies?

So what happens if the coral reefs vanish completely? Some experts predict hunger, poverty and political instability as the livelihoods of the peoples of entire countries disappear. Once the coral is dead, the reefs will also die and erode, destroying important marine life spawning and feeding grounds.

What animals live in Ningaloo Reef?

Whales, dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, huge cod, turtles and whale sharks are abundant at Ningaloo Reef, part of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast. It is the largest fringing coral reef in Australia and the only large reef in the world found close to a continental land mass, making it an easy snorkel from shore.

What is coral bleaching?

When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.

Why are the coral reefs bleaching?

The leading cause of coral bleaching is climate change. A warming planet means a warming ocean, and a change in water temperature—as little as 2 degrees Fahrenheit—can cause coral to drive out algae. Coral may bleach for other reasons, like extremely low tides, pollution, or too much sunlight.

What does ningaloo mean?

The word 'Ningaloo' is an Aboriginal word that means a 'promontory' which is a headland of elevated land. It refers in modern day terms to the Cape Range National Park and surrounding areas.

What type of reef is ningaloo?

fringing reef

How many people visit Ningaloo?

180,000 tourists

How are reefs formed?

Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. As the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures — fringing, barrier or atoll.

What does fringing reef mean?

Definition. “Fringing reefsare reefs that grow very close to the shore on mainland or high island (continental shelf or volcanic mid-ocean island) coasts. They are generally shore-attached, although back-reef areas can be shallowly submerged.