Exmouth Tours

Exmouth tours take you onto Ningaloo Reef and up into Cape Range National Park from the town of Exmouth, WA. Many include hotel pick-ups, while a few leave from Coral Bay, so the departure point is worth a look before you book. For everything else in the area, see things to do in Exmouth.

Day tours from Exmouth: the range and the reef together

The full-day Range to Reef safari from Exmouth Adventure Co covers range and reef in one day. It starts at Charles Knife Gorge for canyon views, stops at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse for morning tea, snorkels inside the reef and finishes with a Yardie Creek Gorge cruise aboard the Spirit of Yardi. From July to early October, humpback whales may pass the lighthouse. It's rated moderate for fitness and includes transfers from your Exmouth accommodation.

Trek Ningaloo's Cape Range National Park one-day trek leaves at 7am and returns at 4pm. It covers some of the park's best short walks and canyon trekking, with a swim in the Ningaloo lagoon, lunch, park fees, and walking poles and gaiters supplied. Pick-up from Exmouth is required rather than optional.

Ningaloo Reef snorkelling and kayaking tours

Exmouth Adventure Co's full-day Ningaloo Reef snorkel adventure drives from town to Turquoise Bay, with a 7am departure from October to April and 8am from May to September. Guides supply snorkel gear, wetsuits, sun shirts and flotation aids, and morning tea and a picnic lunch are included.

The full-day kayak and snorkel tour goes the other way round, paddling the sheltered lagoons of Cape Range National Park before snorkelling the coral. It lists low fitness and low intensity.

From the south, Explore Ningaloo's 3-hour Coral Bay snorkel tour leaves the Coral Bay boat ramp on a family-operated vessel, with turtles, dugongs, dolphins, rays and reef sharks all possible sightings.

Whale shark and wildlife tours

The Ningaloo Blue full-day whale shark and whale tour runs seven days a week between September and late November, from 7am to 3pm. The day includes snorkelling on Ningaloo Reef, a spotter plane for finding wildlife, a smorgasbord lunch, hotel transfers and complimentary digital photos. Swims with whale sharks, manta rays and eligible humpback whales depend on sightings and conditions.

For humpback cruises and swim safaris out of Coral Bay, see whale watching from Exmouth.

Evening and overnight tours

The turtle watching and stargazing tour runs on the Ningaloo Coast at Jurabi Coastal Park, a turtle rookery where marine turtles return each year to nest. Guests get sunset drinks and light snacks, binoculars and star maps, and the guide uses red-light torches to protect the wildlife. Bring a warm layer and enclosed shoes.

Serious walkers can take the overnight trek to Sunset Reef. The route runs through the upper reaches of Yardie Creek and southern dune fields, covers about 23km, and ends in a beach camp overlooking Ningaloo Reef, with food, gear hire and park fees included.

How to choose between Exmouth tours

Start with time. A 3-hour Coral Bay snorkel or a 4-hour evening turtle tour fits around other plans, the 7 to 8-hour full-day trips own the day, and the overnight trek takes two days.

Then match the pace. The kayak tour is low-intensity, the Range to Reef safari is moderate, and the overnight trek is for confident hikers with sturdy, worn-in boots. Season matters too: whale shark and whale tours are only on for part of the year, while the reef and range trips run for much longer.

Frequently asked questions

How long are tours from Exmouth?

Exmouth tours range from a 3-hour snorkel from Coral Bay and a 4-hour evening turtle tour to full-day trips lasting from a 7-hour snorkel adventure to an 8-hour trek, plus a two-day overnight trek.

Which Exmouth tours include snorkelling?

The full-day snorkel adventure, the half-day and full-day kayak and snorkel tours, the Range to Reef safari, the whale shark and whale tour, and the Coral Bay snorkel tour all include snorkelling, with gear supplied.

Do Exmouth tours pick you up from your accommodation?

Most do. Exmouth Adventure Co, Ningaloo Blue and Trek Ningaloo tours include pick-up and drop-off from Exmouth accommodation, while the Coral Bay snorkel tour starts at the Coral Bay boat ramp.

When do whale shark tours run from Exmouth?

The Ningaloo Blue whale shark and whale tour runs from September to late November, seven days a week. Another whale shark swim on our whale watching page runs from August to October.

Are Exmouth tours suitable for families?

Many are. The snorkel, kayak and turtle tours sell child tickets, and the full-day kayak and snorkel tour is listed as suitable for families. The overnight trek is aimed at serious hikers.

What should I bring on an Exmouth day tour?

Most reef tours ask for swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a water bottle. The Range to Reef safari also asks for enclosed footwear and a warmer layer in the cooler months.

Compare the trips, pick your dates and book the Exmouth tour that fits them. Whale watching in Exmouth has the seasonal swims and cruises if the animals come first.