ningaloo in february

[slipslop]

i am hoping to go to ningaloo reef in February 2006. I just want to snorkel, do the odd dive and relax and just chill out (on my own) is 2 weeks in coral bay too long? I dont want to stay in exmouth as i want to be able to just walk to the beach. I will probably stay at the ningaloo reef resort at coral bay. is february a good time to go? i am not too worried about not seeing whale sharks. any info would be appreciated.

 

[alcina]

It'll be hot, ut Coral Bay will get the benefit of the sea breeze each day to keep it considerably cooler than Exmouth will be.

The diving, snorkelling and marine life should be great in Feb. You'll be too early for the whale sharks, but the manta rays should be abundant (you'll need to do a tour as these are not accessible from shore). Always are turtles, rays, sharks, reef fishes, eels etc around.

The shore snorkelling is fantastic and the beach is great for lazing around. Ask at the dive centre for tips on how to get the most from the snorkel areas...if you hit the wrong place it's only average, though worth doing a couple of times.

Feb won't be overly busy, but I'd still book your accommodation well in advance. As you are flexible on when and how much you dive, I think you'll be pretty safe leaving that until you arrive.

 

[KarenK]

i am hoping to go to ningaloo reef in February 2006. I just want to snorkel, do the odd dive and relax and just chill out (on my own) is 2 weeks in coral bay too long? I dont want to stay in exmouth as i want to be able to just walk to the beach. I will probably stay at the ningaloo reef resort at coral bay. is february a good time to go? i am not too worried about not seeing whale sharks. any info would be appreciated.

Ningaloo is a wonderful place, but I wouldn't miss out on the whale sharks as it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with such amazing creatures. We went in May, so Feb may be early to see them. You may also want to consider staying in Exmouth as it is much more pleasant without the sand flies. We are very tolerant of nature, but Coral Bay was miserable on or near the beach due to these pests. The resort is modest by American standards, very nice though...the flies were there too!
Have a great time! We hope to visit again soon.

 

[blueeyes_austin]

It'll be hot, ut Coral Bay will get the benefit of the sea breeze each day to keep it considerably cooler than Exmouth will be.

The diving, snorkelling and marine life should be great in Feb. You'll be too early for the whale sharks, but the manta rays should be abundant (you'll need to do a tour as these are not accessible from shore). Always are turtles, rays, sharks, reef fishes, eels etc around.

The shore snorkelling is fantastic and the beach is great for lazing around. Ask at the dive centre for tips on how to get the most from the snorkel areas...if you hit the wrong place it's only average, though worth doing a couple of times.

Feb won't be overly busy, but I'd still book your accommodation well in advance. As you are flexible on when and how much you dive, I think you'll be pretty safe leaving that until you arrive.

Alcina, is Ningaloo Adventures still in business? Just wondering....learned to dive with them back in 1996.

 

[alcina]

Ummm, actuallly I don't know a company named Ningaloo Adventures - and I've been here since 1996!

In Coral Bay the dive centre is Ningaloo Reef Dive; in 1996 there was a dive shop named Coral Bay Dive in a tin shed, too. There is a Glass Bottom Boat operator called Coral Bay Adventures.

Who was your instructor? (It will be on your card if you have it) That might let me narrow it down some more

 

[blueeyes_austin]

Alcina, the shop was in Exmouth. The instructor of record (SSI) was Debbie Warden; I don't recall, offhand, the name of the instructor who was my primary contact.

 

[lisahowarth]

Hi there,

I've been living in Exmouth since November, so should be able to help!

Feb is quite a quiet time of year so it will be relaxing for you, it's going to be hot! you will probably get temperatures of around 40 degrees. This time of year is good diving weather, and Coral Bay is more sheltered than Exmouth, so generally they can dive if the weathers bad(but it shouldn't be!)

Coral Bay is beautiful, and whilst it is small as long as your happy amusing yourself, there's plenty to do. Theres loads of snorkelling straight off the beach, and they have a resident Manta population - so you can snorkel with them all year round. I would recommend a visit to exmouth during your stay though, but you need to hire a car to get around. There are a few things you shouldn't miss whilst you're in the area. The snorkelling at Torquise Bay and lakeside is fantastic, and right off the beach. The Navy Pier dive is a must, and the diving in Lighthouse Bay is amazing bacause of the varity of marine life it has on it. Check out www.ningalooreefteach.com, it has a great video clip of the Pier.


I've been training with Exmouth Dive Centre, who are the only operator to dive the Navy Pier, and they also have a Dive shop in Coral Bay - you can make enquiries/bookings through www.exmouthdive.com