What is Ningaloo Marine Park?
Ningaloo Marine Park protects Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Western Australia. Established in 1987, it covers one of the world's largest fringing coral reefs and is part of a World Heritage Area.
The reef stretches about 260 kilometres along the coast near Exmouth and Coral Bay. In many places, the coral lies so close to the shore that visitors can snorkel straight from the beach.
The marine park includes state waters managed by Western Australia and Commonwealth waters managed federally. About a third of the park is sanctuary zones, where fishing is banned.
World Heritage
In 2011 the Ningaloo Coast was listed as World Heritage, including the reef and the limestone Cape Range.
The park is famous for whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and humpback whales. Licensed tours follow strict rules.
Coral Bay is a small town with reef right off its beach.
Ningaloo's waters host more than 500 species of fish and around 200 species of hard coral. Turtles nest on the beaches each summer, and community groups help monitor them. Plans for a large resort at Maud's Landing in the early 2000s led to a major public campaign, Save Ningaloo, which helped protect the coast from big developments.
Did You Know?
Ningaloo is one of the few places where whale sharks gather reliably every year.