Turquoise Bay

Ningaloo Marine Park is found in the Cape Range National Park in Western Australia.  Turquoise Bay is found just outside of Exmouth, WA.

Ningaloo Marine park covers one of the largest fringe coral reefs in Australia and is the only one in the world found so close to continental land.  The marine park covers more than 4000 square kilometers and extends out to sea approximately 10 nautical miles.  It's a wonderful location and offers beautiful beaches, world class diving and family snorkelling. .

Turquoise Bay is a small bay found in the Ningaloo Marine Park about 60 kilometres out of Exmouth, Western Australia.  It's a pristine beach dotted only by small coral rocks and people who are enjoying the sun, sand and water.  Turquoise Bay is unique in the fact that it has a reef surrounding the bay probably about 1 kilometre or so out to sea.  Therefore the bay itself has quite calm waters.  The reef has a two small openings on either side of the bay which allows coastal tides to flow through the bay.  This creates a gentle current that drifts through the bay.

The current provides the ideal setting for leisurely snorkelling which can be done by even the most inexperienced snorkeller.  The water gets to about 2 metres in depth about 10-30 metres offshore so the novice snorkeller will usually feel quite safe.  Walk in a Southerly direction along the beach for a distance of about 100 - 300 metres, enter the water and swim straight out (however far you want to go) and let the current pick you up.  The current is strong enough that it will carry you down the coastline without the need to swim/paddle.  Swim toward the beach and exit the bay before the sandbar as the current gets quite strong after the sandbar.  Swimming on the Northerly side of the sandbar is not recommended as the current/waves can be quite strong there.  Always look for the tidal conditions and strength of the current to assess safety prior to swimming.

There are a variety of marine creatures that inhabit Turquoise Bay.  Lots of tropical fish, little Clown Fish (like Nemo!) and turtles, sea snakes, sharks etc.  The rangers assure tourists that the sharks are friendly enough but common sense says that caution should always be exercised when in a marine environment to be on the safe side!

The colours of the tropical fish are amazing!  They are so beautiful and varied and bright - an underwater camera does little to capture the magnificience of their colour!

If you plan to visit Turquoise Bay take along snorkelling gear - flippers, mask, snorkel, your swimsuit, sunscreen, towells, food and drink (because the nearest food is a small tourist attraction about 15 mins drive away with only drinks and icecreams on offer).  There are toilets available at the carpark for Turquoise Bay.

If you're ever in the Exmouth area - stop by to visit Turquoise Bay you won't regret the time spent there and you'll be guaranteed to want to return again!