Snorkel
FreeBill’s Bay reef snorkel
📍 Bill’s BayWade off the town beach and you’re over coral and fish within a few fin-kicks.
Coral gardens
Family-friendly
Good for beginners
Calm, sheltered waterBill’s Bay is the easiest snorkel on the coast: the reef is sheltered by the outer Ningaloo barrier, so the lagoon stays calm and clear, and fish, turtles and rays cruise within an easy swim of the sand. Wade in, put your face down, and you are over the reef within a few fin-kicks.
Because it is shallow, protected and right in town, it is the perfect first Ningaloo snorkel and a favourite with families and nervous swimmers. Be aware the coral closest to the beach is recovering from a 2022 mortality event — the richest gardens now sit a little further out, on the drifts and the kayak-trail moorings. The bay is a no-take sanctuary zone, so admire the coral but keep off it.
How it works
- Shore entry off the town beach; mask, snorkel and fins — no tour needed.
- Stay inside the bay and clear of the boat-launching corridor and channel markers.
More info
Part of
Snorkelling the reefIn the waterMore to do at Bill’s Bay
- 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.
- Whale shark swimSnorkel alongside the world’s biggest fish on the outer reef — from a quieter base than Exmouth.
- Swim with humpback whalesOne of the only places in WA you can legally swim with humpback whales — and Coral Bay opens first.
- 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.
Spotted something wrong, or something missing? Suggest an edit