What's on in January

Wildlife, water and weather worth timing for January.

21 things

Bill’s Bay reef snorkelWade off the town beach and you’re over coral and fish within a few fin-kicks.
Bill’s Bay swimA calm, shallow town lagoon — safe and easy for a family dip.
Coral Bay kayak trailPaddle to numbered moorings on the reef, then drop in and snorkel.
Bill’s Bay SUPGlassy, protected lagoon water for an easy stand-up paddle.
Swim with manta raysHover above the reef as resident manta rays bank and barrel-roll below you — Coral Bay’s signature.
Glass-bottom boat tourSee the coral gardens and turtles without getting wet — a Coral Bay staple since 1973.
Outer-reef snorkel cruiseA relaxed boat snorkel over coral the boats reach that you can’t from shore.
Scuba divingDive grey-reef-shark cleaning stations and coral bommies off the southern reef.
Purdy Point drift snorkelCoral Bay’s signature drift — walk south, then let the current carry you back over the reef.
Paradise Beach drift snorkelA quieter drift on the western side of the bay — walk south, drift back into Bill’s Bay.
Paradise Beach swimA stunning, quiet stretch of soft white sand for an easy swim.
Skeleton Bay reef-shark nurseryWalk to the bay’s north end to watch dozens of baby reef sharks in ankle-deep water.
Five Fingers Reef snorkelShallow, calm and fish-rich reef fingers a short drive south — a family favourite.
Oyster Bridge snorkelA rock “bridge” shelters a calm lagoon ~14 km north — gentle snorkelling for kids.
Maud’s Landing turtle nestingGreen and loggerhead turtles nest on the beach north of town over the warm months.
Maud’s Landing history walkA quiet beach with the remains of a 19th-century shipping jetty.
Quad-bike snorkel safariRide a quad along the beach to remote reef you can’t reach without a 4WD.
Reef fishing charterHead out past the reef for coral trout, emperor and pelagics — outside the sanctuary zones.
Coral Bay scenic flightSee the reef, the lagoon and the wildlife from the air — flights leave the town airstrip.
Coral Bay sunsetClimb the dune above town for the sun dropping into the Indian Ocean.
Coral Bay stargazingWalk up the dune after dark — no city lights for hundreds of kilometres.