Ningaloo Marine Park

Ningaloo Marine Park protects Australia's largest fringing reef, running some 260 km down the North West Cape of Western Australia so close to shore that snorkelers walk in off the beach at Turquoise Bay. Established as a state marine park in 1987 and World Heritage-listed with the surrounding Ningaloo Coast in 2011, it is best known for the whale sharks that aggregate along the reef edge each austral autumn after the mass coral spawn, joined seasonally by manta rays, humpbacks, and nesting turtles. Diving centers on the Navy Pier at Exmouth, the Muiron Islands, and the reef passes near Coral Bay, all inside park waters.

The rules that bind divers

The park is zoned under Western Australian management: sanctuary zones scattered along the reef — including popular snorkel areas — are strictly no-take, while recreation and general-use zones allow regulated fishing. Whale shark and humpback in-water tourism operates only under licensed operators with capped vessel numbers, mandated swimmer limits, approach distances, and no-touch rules, monitored with spotter aircraft. Boats avoid anchoring on coral and use designated areas; drones and jet skis face restrictions in wildlife zones. The Navy Pier is Department of Defence property, dived only with the authorized operator.

Fees & permits: No general park entry fee for the water itself; licensed wildlife tours price in their permit costs, and shore access through Cape Range National Park carries a standard WA parks vehicle fee.