What's on in August

Wildlife, water and weather worth timing for August.

37 things

Turquoise Bay drift snorkelThe famous drift — enter up-current and let the lagoon carry you over the coral.
Turquoise Bay lagoon swimA calm, brilliant-white lagoon for an easy dip between snorkels.
Oyster Stacks coral snorkelSome of the closest, most vivid coral on the coast — high tide only.
Lakeside reef snorkelEasy sandy entry to a quiet sanctuary-zone reef, a short walk south along the beach.
Lakeside beach swimA sheltered sandy beach, calm on most days.
Osprey Bay drift snorkelDrift along the reef off the rocky point — lots of coral close in.
Osprey Bay lagoon swimA sheltered lagoon swim between the rocky points.
Mandu Mandu Gorge loopA ~3 km loop up a dry creek bed and back along the gorge rim.
Mandu Mandu rock-wallabiesBlack-footed rock-wallabies shelter in the gorge walls — best at dawn.
Charles Knife sunrise driveDrive a knife-edge ridge into the range for canyon views — low light is the point.
Badjirrajirra Loop walkA long, exposed loop through gorges and spinifex from the top of the road.
Yardie Creek boat tourA gentle boat tour up a red-walled gorge on permanent water.
Yardie Creek rim walkA short, rocky rim walk for the view down the gorge.
Yardie Creek paddlePaddle the sheltered red-gorge creek when the sandbar is closed.
Sandy Bay swimA wide, shallow turquoise lagoon — calm and safe for a family swim.
Sandy Bay SUP & flat waterFlat, protected water for SUP — windier in the afternoon sea breeze.
Vlamingh Head sunsetThe cape’s best sunset, over the Mildura wreck and the Indian Ocean.
Vlamingh Head sunriseQuieter than sunset — first light over the gulf with the lighthouse behind you.
Lighthouse Bay whale watchingThe best free shore vantage for humpbacks tracking past the cape.
Town Beach swimA sheltered, gulf-side town swim close to Exmouth’s cafes and shops.
Jurabi dune sunsetQuiet dune beaches and big western sunsets away from the crowds.
Bundegi reef snorkelEasy snorkel over Bundegi Reef, a short swim off a calm gulf beach.
Bundegi gulf swimSheltered, shallow and usually calm — an easy gulf-side dip.
Bundegi SUPFlat gulf water — a good, sheltered paddling spot.
Bundegi kayak trailA sanctuary-zone kayak trail to snorkel moorings on the gulf reef.
Bundegi launch & gulf paddleLaunch here for the reef and the wider gulf.
Wobiri reef breakA reef break with a quiet beach you can have to yourself.
Wobiri beach swimA quiet stretch of sand away from the crowds.
Dunes surf breakExmouth’s most consistent wave — a hollow left and friendlier right off a big sandy beach.
Dunes beach walk & swimAn open, pretty beach for a walk — check conditions before a swim.
Tantabiddi lagoon snorkelLagoon snorkelling by the northern boat ramp, with sanctuary-zone moorings a paddle away.
Whale shark swimSnorkel alongside the world’s biggest fish on the outer reef.
Manta ray swimHover above the reef as resident manta rays bank and barrel-roll below.
Swim with humpback whalesOne of the only places in WA you can legally swim with humpback whales.
Outer-reef snorkel tourGlass-bottom and outer-reef snorkel tours over the coral gardens.
Exmouth scenic flightSee the whole reef from the air — flights leave the Exmouth airstrip.
Milyering dark-sky stargazingSome of the darkest skies anywhere — the Milky Way from deep in Cape Range.