coral bay on the coral coast of western australia! our trip around australia led us to this extraordinary destination, located on the shores of the renowned ningaloo reef. famed for its abundance of marine life, including whale sharks, wobbegongs, and various species of reef sharks, our expectations were sky-high. it’s said that manta rays frequent the bay of coral bay throughout the year, and their gentle nature as filter feeders ensures a safe and exhilarating swimming experience.
Allow us to share our own encounter swimming with these magnificent creatures, and provide insight into what you can expect. coral bay lies on the coral coast of western australia, approximately a 1.5-hour drive (151 km) from exmouth and an 11.5-hour drive from perth. you can join tours to coral bay from either the exmouth marina or coral bay itself. keep in mind that tours from exmouth typically span a full day, while half-day tours from coral bay offer the opportunity to engage in other activities as well.
As we stood on the boat, fins shuffled in all directions, with everyone eager to seize the chance to swim with these graceful underwater butterflies. however, our excitement was momentarily dampened when our daughter, kalyra, had a snorkel-related meltdown. frustration took hold, and her wails drowned out our calming advice. while the others gracefully slipped into the warm australian waters, we were left behind, struggling to resolve the snorkel situation.
We had journeyed all the way to western australia’s ningaloo reef, investing a significant amount of time and money, only to find ourselves stuck on a boat, dealing with a tantrum. meanwhile, the rest of the group swam further away, following the manta rays. finally, we managed to sort out the snorkel and perched ourselves on the boat’s edge. holding hands, we counted to three and plunged into the water.
As we submerged, we found ourselves face-to-face with a manta ray just a few feet away, gracefully swimming toward us. in unison, we squealed, “manta ray!” the ray changed direction, and we swam to keep pace. soon, the others caught up and overtook us, causing the manta to slip away. swimming fast while holding onto a seven-year-old proved challenging. kalyra, feeling the chill, signaled the boat to pick us up. she had witnessed the manta ray up close and deemed that sufficient, putting an end to the chase. this turn of events was a relief for me, as it meant i could return to the water and swim with the manta ray on my own.
Amidst the chaos of preparing kalyra, i forgot to turn on the gopro, missing the opportunity to capture that special moment when the manta approached. we had joined the tour early in the morning from coral bay, and hadn’t ventured far toward the outer ningaloo reef when the manta ray was spotted gracefully navigating the crystal-clear turquoise waters that define the ningaloo marine park. it was just kalyra and me on this tour, as we were conscious of reducing costs. craig had chosen to participate in a quad biking excursion with kalyra on another day.
While they enjoyed their land-based adventure, i slipped back into the water for another encounter with the manta ray. unfortunately, i inadvertently swam through a cloud of diesel fumes on my way in. nevertheless, the manta ray once again approached, and i began swimming, skillfully navigating through the thrashing arms and fins surrounding me. i swam around the outer perimeter of the group and quickly raced to the front. for the next five minutes, i followed the manta ray, marveling at its grace and relishing the sight of smaller fish swimming close to its belly.
To be honest, i had naively anticipated that the manta rays would leisurely approach the boat, allowing us to swim alongside them without exerting much effort. i had never imagined that it would involve olympic-style races to keep up with these magnificent creatures. admittedly, a few accidental kicks to the head occurred as we explored this underwater wonderland.
We swam through channels nestled between immense reefs and bommies, encountering some of the most remarkable snorkeling spots we had ever experienced. along our journey, we encountered a couple of green turtles, and even had the privilege of encountering a loggerhead turtle, a rarer sight to behold. it was an awe-inspiring experience.
Swimming with manta rays in coral bay truly exceeded our expectations. the opportunity to engage with these gentle giants, amidst the pristine waters of the ningaloo reef, left an indelible mark on our memories. if you’re seeking an unforgettable aquatic adventure, don’t miss the chance to visit coral bay and immerse yourself in the wonder of swimming with manta rays. it’s an experience that will leave you in awe of nature’s magnificence.
