Exmouth is a nature lover’s delight, with dazzling wildflowers, unique wildlife and a reef system teeming with marine life.
Native Animals
Wildlife encounters can be enjoyed throughout the region, particularly at dawn and dusk, as many species are nocturnal.
Black footed rock wallaby – Seen year round
Formerly widespread throughout the State, this rare wallaby is now only found in a few isolated localities with populations of less than 100 animals per site. They can be found year round sheltering within the gorge walls at Yardie Creek Gorge in the Cape Range National Park.
Emus – Seen year round
These friendly natives are our very own welcoming committee to the area. It’s a regular occurrence to see them wandering the streets and walking through the town centre. They are WILD, so please show them respect, give them the right of way and DO NOT FEED THEM.
Kangaroos – Seen year round
Please note that wildlife such as kangaroos are prolific around dawn and after dusk, so please drive carefully.
Thorny devils – Seen year round
This Australian reptile has an interesting appearance. Covered in thorns and growing up to 20 centimetres in length, they may look quite dangerous but they are in fact harmless. They feed mainly on ants and can be found in desert habitats including Shark Bay, Carnarvon and Exmouth. The thorny devil’s biggest threat is the car, so keep a look out when driving in the region.
Birds of the Coral Coast
Home to more than 240 varieties, the Coral Coast’s population of birds represents over 35% of Australia’s bird species. The cheeky laugh of the kookaburra can also be heard in treed areas throughout the region, or you might even be lucky enough to see a wedge-tailed eagle, Australia’s largest living bird of prey, soaring in the open skies. But it’s the large breeding colonies of seabirds that congregate along the coast and islands that draw many bird watching enthusiasts to the region.
Marine Life
The Ningaloo Marine Park on Western Australia’s Coral Coast protects Australia’s largest and most accessible fringing reef system and a huge variety of marine life. The shallow lagoons and deeper offshore waters create a diverse array of habitats for a multitude of colourful corals and more than 500 species of fish.
Coral Spawning – Seen March & April
The pristine water of Ningaloo Reef transform into colourful clouds each year during the Coral Spawning season.
Night tours take you up close to his amazing natural phenomenon which happens between seven and 10 days after the full moon in March and April.
The annual coral spawning cycle is an incredible sight which is part of the regeneration of Ningaloo Reef.
The coral spawn is also a major factor in the arrival of the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark. Krill and plankton are drawn to the reef by the coral spawn, which are then in turn eaten by whale sharks which arrive each year to feed.
Dolphins
Dugongs
Dugongs are found in the Ningaloo Marine Park. Along with Shark Bay the Ningaloo area supports 10 percent of the world’s dugong population.
Often referred to as sea cows, because they graze on sea grass, dugongs can grow up to three metres in length and weigh as much as 400 kilograms. Unlike other marine mammals, they cannot hold their breath under water for very long, so they can often be spotted coming to the surface for air.
Manta Rays – Seen June till November
Like whale sharks, manta rays are filter feeders and have a large toothless mouth which they use like a sieve to scoop up plankton and krill. Their wingspans measure several metres, enabling them to swim at rapid speeds, occasionally leaping out of the water and landing with a slap.
Unlike stingrays, manta rays do not have a sharp barb, making them very safe to swim, snorkel or dive with.
You may be lucky enough to see a group of males displaying their acrobatic skills, as they compete with each other for a female’s attention.
Turtles
Sea turtles can be encountered all year round and hatchlings may be sighted during turtle nesting season. You can snorkel with them through the beautiful coral gardens of the Ningaloo Marine Park or you can watch them nesting and hatching on a night tour in Cape Range National Park.
The loggerhead turtle is the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world, and the Muiron Islands near the Ningaloo Marine Park is home to one major breeding sites during turtle nesting season.
The Ningaloo Reef region also supports large populations of green, hawksbill and flatback turtles.
Please ensure you read the turtle watcher’s code of conduct before heading to the beaches to interact with marine turtles.
Turtle nesting season (November – April)
Green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles, three of the world’s seven species of marine turtles, nest on mainland beaches adjacent to Ningaloo Reef during the summer months between November and April annually.
If you would like to view nesting marine turtles DPAW strongly recommends that you visit the Jurabi Turtle Centre and encourages you to participate in a guided experience. By participating in guided turtle experiences, you are actively helping to conserve marine turtles and will have a better opportunity to view marine turtles nesting in the natural environment.
Turtle Hatching season (late Jan – March)
Approximately six weeks after the turtle nesting season (usually February and March), the hatchlings will emerge and make their way quickly down the beach sand into the warm water.
Whales – Seen June till November
Whales can be seen on the Ningaloo Reef every year from June to November, when humpback whales migrate between their summer breeding grounds and their winter feeding grounds.
Humpback whales are the fifth largest of the great whales, weighing up to 40 tonnes. From July to November Exmouth gulf boasts the highest density of humpback whales in the Southern hemisphere. There are viewing points at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, Town Beach and Bundegi Beach or you can take a closer look by joining one of the educational and fun tours or sunset cruises to see these magnificent creatures rolling around, slapping their tails and fins or even breaching clear of the water.
Exmouth plays host to a range of whale species including minke, blue, humpback and even orcas. Humpback whales visit the park twice annually, in the autumn when they head north and in spring on their return journey.
During spring, the waters of the Exmouth Gulf are an ideal location to see the humpback whales playing and nursing their new born calves.
Whale Sharks – Seen April till August
Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef is the experience of a lifetime. Join a whale shark watching or snorkelling tour from Exmouth and experience the ultimate wildlife encounter. Every year, between mid March and mid July, these gentle giants of the ocean congregate in the Ningaloo Marine Park following the mass spawning of coral. Harmless to humans, they are the world’s largest species of fish and can grow up to 18 metres in length.
Exmouth one of very few regions in the world where whale sharks congregate regularly in coastal waters and are easily accessible for whale shark tours.
Light & Heavy Tackle Game Fish
Fishing is fantastic year round in Exmouth and Coral Bay. There are over 30 different game fish species to be found off the Ningaloo Coast, including all six Australian billfish species. As a result, the Ningaloo region is recognised not only as the premier game fishing destination in Western Australia but also one of the finest destinations on the planet.
