Coral Bay and the Ningaloo Reef

After driving through desert landscape for 7 hours and the car sweating in 48 degree temperatures, we arrived in Coral Bay, just a few degrees north of the Capricorn Tropic.

This little settlement lies on the magnificent Ningaloo Reef. We were told that it was nicer, prettier and less touristy that the Great Barrier Reef...and they didn't lie. Pat has never been to the Great Barrier Reef, but Christine has and she told him so, so he believes her...of course :)


The first day we needed some action and went on a quad trek (featuring some snorkeling). Racing through the sand dunes and on the beach at 70km/h was quite a thrill...wooooooohoooooooooooo. Christine took the lady like approach and rode as a passenger on the back :).



Included in the package was a snorkel cruise on a catamaran. Diving into the reef and looking at the marine life was a truly unique and breathtaking experience. All of a sudden there was a giant sea turtle underneath you, swimming gracefully through the waters while you can hardly keep yourself under control. :) One felt a bit like nemo..."P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sidney"...there were lots of Dorees, but thank goodness no sharks or sting rays.

Yet, as we came of the boat, we were told that if we went along the beach for a bit, we would come to a small bay where the shark were mating and that we could see them well from the top op a sand dune. And indeed, looking down on the bay, we could see lots of dark shadows under the surface of the sea...needless to day that we didn't go for a swim there :)