Turtle nesting

Between late spring and early autumn the dune-backed beaches around the tip of the North West Cape become one of the most important turtle rookeries in the Indian Ocean. After dark, mature females ride the tide ashore, dig a body pit and egg chamber, lay a clutch of around 100–120 eggs, then cover the nest and return to the sea. It’s slow, deliberate and unforgettable — and entirely wild, so patience and a little luck are part of the deal.

Three species nest here: green turtles (the most numerous), loggerheads, and the occasional hawksbill. Ningaloo is globally significant for green and loggerhead nesting, with thousands of nests dug each season.

What makes it special is how accessible and self-directed it is — you can stand on a quiet beach a short drive from town and watch a process tens of millions of years old, provided you follow the turtle-watching code so the females aren’t scared off before they nest.