About the Port
Exmouth sits at the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia, a remote outpost prized for its proximity to Ningaloo Reef, one of the world's largest fringing coral reefs. The town serves primarily as a base for exploring the marine park, renowned for seasonal encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and humpback whales, along with vibrant snorkeling and diving directly accessible from shore. Cape Range National Park lies nearby, offering rugged limestone gorges and turquoise bays.
The landscape here is defined by its stark contrast between arid outback terrain and vivid marine life just steps from the sand. Exmouth's compact town center provides a practical staging point, with reef access often only a short drive away rather than requiring a boat excursion. Travelers drawn to marine biodiversity and unspoiled coastal scenery find this remote corner of Australia a rewarding, if far-flung, destination worth the journey.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Exmouth.
Snorkel Turquoise Bay
Drift the reef's shallow drift-snorkel over coral gardens teeming with reef fish, entered straight from a white-sand beach in Cape Range National Park, roughly a 40-minute drive from town.
Swim with Whale Sharks or Manta Rays
Join a licensed boat trip out of Exmouth to swim alongside these gentle giants on Ningaloo Reef; book well ahead, as spots fill quickly and timing depends on their seasonal presence.
Explore Yardie Creek Gorge
Walk the rim trail or take a short boat cruise through this dramatic limestone gorge where sheer red cliffs meet still turquoise water, home to rock wallabies and osprey nests.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Exmouth
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 7, 2029 | Crystal | Crystal Symphony | 120 | $68,000 | |
| Jan 7, 2029 | Crystal | Crystal Symphony | 140 | $73,000 | |
| Jan 7, 2029 | Crystal | Crystal Symphony | 126 | $69,000 |