Coral Bay is a quaint little town located on the coast of Western Australia, South of Exmouth. The white sandy beaches invite you to take a deep in its clear blue ocean. This small seaside town is blessed with beach weather year-round. So, why should Coral Bay be your next holiday destination?
Coral Bay is easy to navigate since it’s a small town and very quiet. It’s great appeal doesn’t lie on several attractions, but it’s the unpretentiousness and simplicity is the reason why tourists kept coming back to this place. This sleepy and unspoiled town has been gaining more tourists in recent years. Moreover, it is a fishing paradise for fishers since it is Western Australia’s premier game fishing destination. Lastly, it is gateway access to the 260 km Ningaloo Reef which lies close to the shore and forms a lagoon and an ideal place for people to snorkel, scuba dive, canoe or explore the reef.
Here is an overview of beach campgrounds in Coral Bay Beach:
- Peoples Park Coral Bay
- Ningaloo Coral Reef- Bayview
You better start reading this article if you are already planning a trip to Coral Bay!
Jump To Section
How Do I Get to Coral Bay Beach?
Travelling to Coral Bay from Perth takes around 11 hours and 38 minutes, that is if you are driving nonstop, which is not realistic. However, if you are planning a road trip, the drive will be about for two days, 13 hours on the road with one overnight. The distance from Perth is 1,126 km via Brand Hwy and National Route 1.
From Perth, you may stop in Cervantes, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Denham/ Shark Bay, Carnarvon, and finally to Coral Bay. On the other hand, the fastest way to get to Coral Bay is through a flight with Qantas Airways. The trip from Perth Airport to Learmonth Airport may only take 1 hour and 44 minutes. Car hire is available in the airport so you can travel around Coral Bay comfortably.
What Should I Know About Coral Bay Beach?
Coral Bay is a small town located on the coast of Western Australia. This town is almost exclusively for tourists since it only has a small resident population. As the name suggests, Coral Bay is the home to the world’s largest fringing reef; the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.
The town’s earliest European activity was during 1884 when the schooner Maud landed in the region. A town was founded in 1896 to protect the jetty and government shed at the location during the time. The pier, from 1898- 1947, served as the residents’ link to the outside world. Also, it is where the supplies are received and was invaluable in exporting the wool and sheep produced on the peninsula.
It was in 1915 when the town was officially named Maud’s Landing. Maud’s Landing role in the settlement and development of the North West of Western Australia is essential. The wood from the dock was taken away and used at the whaling station at Ningaloo station near Point Cloates.
Bill’s Bay is 3 km to the South of Maud’s Landing, and was becoming a popular recreational area both for locals and adventurous fishers. It was named after Ruby May French who was affectionate as ‘’Auntie Billie.’’ His Husband Charles French owned the Cardabia Station which occupies the property surrounding Maud’s Landing and Bills Bay.
In 1968, formal settlement began at Bill’s Bay with the establishment of a hotel, caravan park, and a service station. The hotel was named Coral Bay Hotel because of the outstanding Coral Reef. This settlement became known as Coral Bay nowadays.
How Are the Campgrounds at Coral Bay Beach?
Coral Bay is a remote and small holiday town. It consists of a couple of caravan parks, holiday homes, for fishers, a hotel, two cafes and a few necessary facilities. However, these things should not stop you from visiting Coral Bay. If you do not want to camp, you can always stay in one of its hotels, or if you are a backpacker, Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers is still open for you. There are only two caravan parks in Coral Bay and below are the two caravan parks where you can camp:
Peoples Park Coral Bay
Peoples Park is located at Lot 13 Robinson St, Coral Bay WA 6701. The park gives you the option to choose between exclusive oceanfront caravan sites and pioneer caravan and camping. The private oceanfront caravan sites offer lush green lawn, plenty of shade, and are only metres from the beach. This section of the park has three types of powered sites and allows for tents and camper trailers. The first row is directly facing the beach, while the second row is tucked behind the first row, and the third row is on full drive sites.
Pioneer caravan and camping, on the other hand, offers large powered sites for both caravans/ motorhomes and tents and camper trailers. This section has its ablution block with toilets, freshwater showers and coin laundry facilities. Pets are not allowed in this park.
Ningaloo Coral Bay- Bayview
Bayview is located at the southern gateway of Ningaloo Reef and is just metres from the stunning white sand beach of Coral Bay. They offer powered and unpowered campsites, cabins, chalets, lodge, and villa accommodation. Also, there are BBQ spots, a playground on-site and a swimming pool. Other facilities include camps, kitchen, laundry, tennis court, and they allow pets.
Are you planning on a trip to Coral Bay Beach? Look for more accommodation options here.
Where Can I Take Bushwalk in Coral Bay Beach?
Walks are one of the other ways to explore and discover a place. However, Coral Bay is a tiny seaside town surrounded white sand beaches. Coral Bay involves more activities on the water rather than inland; nonetheless, Coral Bay Walk Way is one of the places you must visit.
Coral Bay Way Walk Way is a fantastic walk bordering the coastline along Ningaloo Reef. The reef’s closeness to the shore will allow you to witness dolphins, manta rays, and a vast range of fish swimming through the clear water.
This trail is a 2 km walk, and it will take you through the Pioneer and Naturalist Parks where you can spot kangaroos, emus, and a variety of birdlife. You can stop along the way to bathe under the sun and lay your back on the white sand while watching the sunset.
What Are the Other Things I Should Do in Coral Bay Beach?
Although Coral Bay is a little town in Western Australia, what it lacks in size, adventures will surely make it up for you. The town revolves around one giant sand beach, and everything you will do will involve water activities. It’s not just swimming and sunbathing, but you can also eat your way through Coral Bay as it only has a few restaurants.
This one- road town also has its outback side that surrounds Coral Bay you need to explore. In the countryside, wildlife is everywhere. Kangaroos jumped around, and eagles and other birds were flying above. Coral Bay has a website where you can book your trips and plan it. Other activities you should also try are:
- Swim with whale sharks
- Swim with manta rays
- Kayak adventure in Ningaloo
- Snorkelling along Ningaloo Reef
- Hiring a fishing boat
- Scuba diving and swim with the turtles
- Quad treks on an ATV or 4×4 buggy
- Visiting the Coral Bay Whale Nursery Shark
- Dinner at Fin’s Café
What Are Other Camping Enthusiasts Saying About Coral Bay Beach?
‘’We stayed in Peoples Park for three nights in March and had a great 1st-row ocean view site. The campsite is spacious and easy to maneuver into. Their amenities were clean and tidy, drinking water is available from taps on the site, and the camp kitchen was air-conditioned and had a good fridge and freezers. It was great watching the sunset and just a few steps to the beach. It had everything we needed.’’ –Lyn D (TripAdvisor)
Related Questions
How Far is Coral Bay From Perth?
Coral Bay is 1001 km away from Perth, but the road distance is 1121.9 km.
Which is Better Exmouth or Coral Bay?
Diving in Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay is reputedly better, and snorkelling is better at Exmouth. They are not that hugely different. One option would be staying two nights in Coral Bay and a couple of nights at Exmouth.
How Far is Coral Bay from Exmouth?
The distance between Coral Bay and Exmouth is 152 km.
How Do I Get from Exmouth To Coral Bay?
The quickest way to get to Coral Bay to Exmouth is to drive straight there. There is also a direct bus between Exmouth and Coral Bay which departs from Exmouth Visitor Centre.
What is the Best Time to Visit Ningaloo Reef?
It depends on what activity you are going to do. If you want sunny weather during the visit, dry seasons run from August to December. Whale shark season lasts from March to June, and during the winter, it’s the best time to spot Manta Rays, Humpback whales, dolphins, and even the rare Dugongs.
