Turquoise Bay
Cape Range National Park, Exmouth, Western Australia, 6707
The only way this bay’s name could be more perfect is if it was “Turquoise Bay, White Sand, Warm Water, Great Snorkeling.” In Western Australia’s Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay has repeatedly been voted one of Australia’s best beaches. Visitors come to relax, swim, and snorkel at the Ningaloo Reef, which is so near the shore you can just walk out to it.
The basics
Travelers usually come to Turquoise Bay independently or with a guided tour from Exmouth to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The Ningaloo Marine Park lies just offshore and contains all kinds of fantastic sea creatures, including thick coral gardens, turtles, stingrays, and harmless sharks. Don some flippers and reef-friendly sunscreen and follow the currents from the drift snorkeling site.
Things to know before you go
The currents are powerful at the bay's southernmost end and the drift loop's northern end, so take care when snorkeling and stay aware of your location.
Park rangers don’t regularly patrol Turquoise Bay, but warning signs will be posted on the beach in case of any hazardous conditions, so look out for these.
There are accessible toilets at the beach and a parking lot, but there are no other facilities, so bring a picnic with you and remember to take everything you bring in.
There are fees to enter the Cape Range National Park with a vehicle, but snorkeling at the Ningaloo Marine Park is free.
How to get there
Turquoise Bay is located in the Cape Range National Park, around 39 miles (63 kilometers) south of Exmouth. The journey takes about 50 minutes, and the roads are good. If you don’t have your own vehicle, seasonal shuttle buses run from Exmouth (ask at the visitor center), or you can take a guided day tour of the bay.
When to get there
This part of Western Australia gets very hot in summer (December to February), but if you’re coming to Turquoise Bay to snorkel, you can visit year-round. The water is consistently warm. Many visit the area to swim with whale sharks from March to July or August or to see migrating humpback whales from May through October.
Visit the Jurabi Turtle Centre
There are many other ways to see the marine life of Cape Range National Park, and visiting the Jurabi Turtle Centre is a great way to learn more without getting wet yourself. The center is open year-round, and you can learn about the four kinds of turtles at Cape Range or take a turtle education eco-tour between December and March to scout for female turtles laying their eggs on the beach.
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