Welcome to Coral Bay! This tiny gem (literally – you could drive through this town in less than a minute!) is tucked away on the stunning Coral Coast of Western Australia, where the desert meets the sea.
Like much of WA, it’s extremely isolated – but that just adds to its lovable charm. Here, there’s a real “no worries” vibe. You can park up, kick off your shoes, throw on some snorkel gear, and be mingling with some of the country’s best marine life within minutes!
This is definitely a place you’d only stay a day or two before moving on, since it’s so small, but there are surprisingly quite a few fun things to do in Coral Bay. In this blog post, I’ll share my favourites, as well as how you can get to Coral Bay in the first place.
Let’s get started!
How to Get to Coral Bay
If you’re gearing up for a road trip, Coral Bay is a standout stop on the drive from Perth to Broome, nestled around halfway through the trip.
From Perth, it’s a solid 12-hour drive north, covering around 1,200 kilometres. The journey takes you through some quintessentially Australian landscapes, and lots and lots of red dirt, so if that’s something you’re up for pack some snacks, good tunes, and enjoy the epic scenery.
You could also head down from Exmouth, the nearest “large” town, which is a 90-minute drive north of Coral Bay.
1. Go to Coral Bay Beach (Bill’s Bay)
Bill’s Bay is the quintessential spot at Coral Bay for anyone looking to just kick back by the water. The beach is super accessible, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the town centre, the campsite, and Coral Bay Backpackers – perfect for families or anyone hauling beach gear.
When the tide is high, you’ve got plenty of shallow, calm water – ideal for kids or a relaxed swim. The water is SO clear here, and the snorkelling is epic as some huge fish come really close to shore. Just keep your eyes peeled in the shallows – I saw a ray swimming around during my visit!
Stick around for the evening, because the sunsets here are not to be missed, turning the sky into a canvas of pinks, oranges and reds.
2. Climb Coral Bay Hill
If you’re up for a bit more activity, head over to Coral Bay Hill, overlooking Bill’s Bay beach. It’s a straightforward climb, taking only five minutes or so, but the reward is aerial views of the multi-hued waters of the beach below. It’s a great spot for a selfie or just to take a moment to appreciate the vast, open landscape surrounding Coral Bay, and it only takes a few minutes, so there’s not really an excuse!
3. Visit the Shark Sanctuary
For a dose of adventure, the Shark Sanctuary near Coral Bay is a standout spot. It’s an easy walk from the main beach, and you can often spot reef sharks swimming around in the shallows right from the shore.
If you venture a bit further along the coast, the waters get rockier and you’ll get a closer view of the sharks in their natural setting. It’s such a cool experience to see these creatures up close – just remember to respect their space and keep safety in mind. You don’t need any special gear, and you don’t have to pay an entry fee. Just rock up and enjoy!
4. Go Kayaking
Kayaking in Coral Bay lets you glide over crystal clear waters and get up close with the marine life below all without getting too wet. No kayak? No problem: you can rent a kayak right on the beach (at the time of writing, a single kayak costs $30/hour and a double costs $40/hour).
Then, you can paddle out at your own pace. Since the water here is so clear, all you need to do is look down to see right to the bottom and all the massive fish and coral underneath! It’s an excellent way to explore the quieter parts of the bay, especially in the early morning when the water is at its calmest and the winds are mild. Keep an eye out for sea turtles and rays that often come close to the surface.
5. Snorkel
Snorkelling in Coral Bay is an absolute must-do – as I mentioned earlier, there’s a lot to see underneath the water here. Bill’s Bay especially is packed with coral and fishes just waiting for you to see them.
If you don’t have your own snorkel kit there’s a hut on the beach you can hire them from, with a mask, snorkel and fins costing $20 for the day (9am-4pm), or $15 for 3 hours.
Moving on from Bill’s Bay, you can join tours to go on the famous Coral Bay whale shark swim from March to July, or go snorkelling with humpback whales from July to October over the world-famous Ningaloo Reef.
This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you really should go on while you’re on the Coral Coast! Book your place here.
6. Go Fishing
Fishing off the shores of Coral Bay can be as relaxed or as intense as you want it to be. There are quite a few local rules about where you can and can’t fish, sine much of the coastline is protected, so I recommend checking out this guide before casting your line.
It’s also possible to go deep sea fishing if you join an expedition with one of the local companies, where their experienced crew will take you to the best spots and worry about all of the regulations and permits for fishing in the area so you don’t have to. Nice!
7. Go 4-Wheel Driving
Four-wheel driving is the way to get to many of the best, off-the-beaten-path Coral Bay beaches, but it’s not for the faint of heart, and it’s certainly not for anybody who doesn’t already have a 4WD vehicle to drive!
The area surrounding Coral Bay offers some rugged and scenic tracks that are perfect for a 4WD – just make sure your vehicle is prepared for sandy tracks and always stick to designated paths to protect the local environment. It’s a thrilling way to discover the VIP-only sections of Coral Bay and its stunning coastline.
8. Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is another fun way to take to the water in Coral Bay. It’s a bit of a workout, especially if the winds aren’t on your side, but it’s mostly just a chill way to cruise around the waters, soaking up the sun and scenery. It’s one of my favourite Coral Bay activities for a reason!
Boards are available to rent along the beach, costing $30/hour at the time of writing, and the calm waters make Coral Bay an ideal spot for beginners. Just be prepared to fall off the board a few times if it’s your first try – it happens to everybody! If you head out in the morning, the ocean is like glass, perfect for spotting fish and coral right beneath you.
9. Glass Bottom Boat Tour
A glass-bottom boat tour is your ticket to seeing the underwater magic of Ningaloo Reef without getting wet. These tours are especially great if you’re travelling with kids or anyone not keen on snorkelling (or having to keep your eyes peeled for stingrays or jellyfish)!
On one of these tours, you’ll cruise over the reef and watch the marine life through the clear bottom of the boat: everything from coral gardens to schools of bright and colourful fish. Tours usually last 1 hour, the perfect amount of time to enjoy the view without the thrill wearing off, and it’s best to book in advance to guarantee your spot.
10. Go Quad Biking
Kick up some sand with a quad bike adventure, one of the most popular things to do in Coral Bay for backpackers. On these two-seater, easy-to-handle bikes, you’ll tear across beaches, bush tracks, and dunes to check out the town’s secret scenery and incredible views.
There are a bunch of different tours to choose from, including sunset and snorkelling options, all of which last last between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours. At the time of writing, it costs around $155 for a single rider and $225 for a rider and a passenger.
Have Fun in Coral Bay, WA!
And there you have it – your essential guide to Coral Bay, one of my favourite beach spots in Western Australia. Whether you’re diving into the blue depths of Ningaloo Reef, lounging on the golden sands, or just soaking in the laid-back beach vibes, Coral Bay is sure to leave you enchanted.
Pack your bags, grab your sunnies, and get ready for some unforgettable coastal adventures. Wishing you an incredible trip to this little slice of paradise. Once you experience the charm and beauty of Coral Bay, it might just become one of your favourites too. Enjoy every sun-soaked moment!
