Name: 6 Day Ningaloo Whale Shark Tour in Australia with Pinnacles Desert and Shell Beach Visits
Brand: Autopia Tours
Price: 1625 AUD
Availability: InStock

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

07:25

Check-out Time:

10:00

Autopia Tours offers guests the option of staying in budget-shared accommodation or private motel-style rooms.

Night 1 - Kalbarri Pelicans Nest private rooms (with ensuite) or Kalbarri YHA Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Night 2 - RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort budget private rooms (with ensuite) or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Night 3 - Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview Lodge budget private rooms or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Night 4 and 5 - Potshot Hotel Resort private rooms (with ensuite) or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative

Any passengers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by and share a double / twin room with a parent or guardian. They are not to be in dormitory accommodation or a private room alone.

The fare type basic shared accommodation (PX6-B) is restricted to adults only (18+ years and over), as travelers will stay in shared bunkbed rooms with communal bathrooms. It is not suitable for children.

The fare type private double / twin room (PX6-S) is for adults and children, staying in a double or twin room and must be purchased by two people staying together.

The fare type private single room (PX6-P) is restricted to adults only (18+ years old and over).

All private rooms are subject to availability and on request. They are not available during WA school holidays.

Program

Perth to Exmouth Coral Coaster (one-way, accommodated)

Go to the jewel of the Coral Coast, the famous Ningaloo Reef, for two days, exploring the pristine waters and searching for turtles! You’ll get to experience the best that nature has to offer on this tour from Perth to Exmouth. The tour has something for everyone!

Vehicle

Autopia Tours will use 24-seater Mitsubishi Rosa mini-buses for this trip. The vehicle makes moving people easy, safe, and comfortable, with high back seats and large windows for unobstructed views. The maximum number of passengers they will carry on this six-day tour is 23 people, with a minimum requirement of eight people to guarantee departure.

Day 1: Perth - Kalbarri

Kick off your adventure with a guided tour through the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, before enjoying lunch by the sea at Jurien Bay and journeying up Indian Ocean.

Drive for some stunning coastal views, stopping off at the must-see attraction just outside of Geraldton, known as the Pink Lake located off the Coral Coast highway (conditions permitting). Then, it’ll be on to the seaside town of Kalbarri for the overnight accommodation.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Kalbarri Pelicans Nest private rooms (with ensuite) or Kalbarri YHA Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Driving distance: 575km
Hiking distance: 2km - Grade 1 - 2

Day 2: Kalbarri - Monkey Mia

Rise early for a magical start to the day, with a photo opportunity at sunrise at either Nature’s Window or the Kalbarri Skywalk. Visit the marvels of The Murchison Gorge and Z-Bend in Kalbarri National Park, where water has carved its way through sandstone. Also witness bright pops of colour there during wildflower season (spring).

After lunch by the river mouth in Kalbarri, you will travel on towards Monkey Mia, with plenty of comfort stops along the way before arriving at the accommodation by the beach.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort budget private rooms (with ensuite) and Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Optional: Kalbarri Abseiling Z-Bend
Driving distance: 450km
Hiking distance: 3km - Grade 3 - 4

Day 3: Monkey Mia - Coral Bay

This morning, meet the famous Monkey Mia Dolphins and get some amazing photos. Enjoy chill-out time on the beach there or enjoy a coffee at the restaurant before you get back on the road in the morning. Also check out the spectacular cliff views overlooking Denham at Eagle Bluff.

Take a stroll along a beach made entirely of tiny shells, followed by lunch. Before heading off to settling into your accommodation in Coral Bay, located right on the famous Ningaloo Reef.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview Lodge budget private rooms or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Driving distance: 580km
Hiking distance: 2km - Grade 1

Day 4: Coral Bay - Exmouth

You’ll have most of the day to explore the Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest fringe reef, at your own leisure. Choose to join a boat tour or enjoy free time to experience the beautiful beaches that Coral Bay has to offer. Go for a stroll on the beach and check out the shark nursery, swim with the manta rays (additional cost), or go for a snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef only meters from shore.

You will leave Coral Bay at approximately 15:45 to 16:00, heading north up the peninsula to Exmouth to check into the accommodation for two nights in the town center.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Potshot Hotel Resort private rooms (with ensuite) or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative.
Options: Swim with manta rays, snorkel in Ningaloo Reef, go on glass bottom boat tours
Driving distance: 155km - Grade 1

Day 5: Exmouth

This day, you will explore the Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons, and 50km of pristine beaches. Relax on the beach or choose to go snorkeling at the stunning Turquoise Bay before finishing the tour in the early afternoon in time for lunch.

You'll then have free time in the afternoon to explore the township of Exmouth, only a 500-meter walk from the accommodation, or sit back and enjoy the pool at the accommodation.

Or, choose to join a whale shark or humpback swim tour and spend the day meeting some of the Ningaloo Reef’s most famous visitors (at guests' own expense and seasonal). You can also visit Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at sunset.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Potshot Hotel Resort private rooms (with ensuite) or Backpackers shared accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar alternative
Optional: Whaleshark (March to August) or Megafauna humpback / whaleshark swim (September to October) - pre-booking required
Driving distance: 135km
Hike distance: 1km - Grade 1 - 2

Day 6: Exmouth

This day, your tour will finish up after you check out of your accommodation at 10:00.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Extend your stay or arrange connections to your next destination (own expense)

Included excursions

Visit the weathered rock spires in the Pinnacles Desert
See the panoramic coastline of the Indian Ocean
Explore the stunning gorge views of Kalbarri National Park from the Skywalk
Admire Nature’s Window and hike the Z Bend in Murchison Gorge
Wander along Shell Beach made of tiny white shells
Be blown away by 'The Stromatolites' at Shark Bay, a World Heritage-listed area
Meet the famous wild dolphins of Monkey Mia
Snorkel the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and relax in crystal clear waters of Turquoise Bay
Guided tour of Cape Range National Park and Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at sunset
Join a swim with a manta ray or whalesharks tour (optional)

Location

You will tour from Perth to Exmouth along Australia's coral coast and visit various attractions such as Pinnacles Desert, Kalbarri National Park, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay, and Exmouth.

+−

Food

Most of the meals will be prepared by the tour guides with basic camping-style food options and on occasion, they will be provided by the accommodation providers onsite. Guests are asked to participate in the preparation of meals, clean-up, and vehicle unpacking / loading as it’s a great way to get to know and connect with your fellow travelers.

While Autopia Tours endeavors to cater to most dietary needs, passengers must advise their booking agent at the time of booking. The tour operator must also be notified of any food allergies or known medical conditions at the time of booking.

Included:

5 x breakfast
3 x lunch
5 x dinner

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water
Coffee
Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Lactose Free
Other dietary requirements on request

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Kalbarri Abseil (Day 2 option)

2 descents (beginner level - book onboard, directly payable)

Start the day with adventure by abseiling down the gorge walls in Kalbarri National Park with Kalbarri Abseil. No previous experience is necessary, as full training will be provided on-site. All equipment will be provided also. Get photos on your own camera, as guests not participating can take photos for you!

Swim with manta rays (Day 4 option)

Swim with manta rays on the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours - pre-bookings required; please send an inquiry to Autopia Tours
Competent swimmers only

Enjoy a five to six-hour tour of the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours. They will provide all equipment, including a short-length wetsuit if required, morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet-style lunch of cold meats and salads.

Enjoy the underwater dance of the manta rays as well as two reef snorkels where you will see beautiful fish, corals, and possibly sea turtles and reef sharks! You’ll also make a visit to the turtle sanctuary, where you can view turtles coming up for a breath in the shallows.

Glass bottom boat (Day 4 option)

Glass bottom boat on the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours - book onboard, directly payable

Join Coral Bay Ecotours for a tour of the Ningaloo Reef on board their glass bottom boat. Learn about the tropical and temperate fish and corals that you will see under the glass.

Choose between a one, two, or three-hour journey. The one-hour ride is glass viewing only. The two-hour journey includes viewing through the glass and a snorkel site. The three-hour includes viewing through the glass, snorkeling, and a visit to the turtle sanctuary, where you can view turtles feeding and coming up for air in the shallows.

Your skipper can even try to get the turtles under the glass for you! Snorkel tours include equipment.

Note

Guests will not be able to book whale shark swims on Day 4 as they will return after the bus has already left Coral Bay. All optional activities in Coral Bay must be finished by 15:45 - 16:00. at the latest.

Whale shark swim (Day 5 option)

Whale shark swim with Exmouth dive - pre-bookings required; please send an inquiry Autopia Tours
Seasonal from March to August
Competent swimmers only

Get set for an unforgettable day, as you will head out to swim next to the biggest fish in the sea, the whale shark! This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that you will never forget! Start the day with a reef snorkel, where you can explore the coral gardens and view beautiful fish. You may even spot a sea turtle or reef shark!

Then, experience the awe of swimming alongside the whale shark, which is typically five to 10 m in length there! All equipment will be provided, including a wetsuit if required. Morning and afternoon tea and a delicious lunch will also be included.

Humpback whale swim (Day 5 option)

Humpback whale swim with Exmouth Dive - pre-bookings required, please send an inquiry to Autopia Tours
Seasonal from August to October
Competent swimmers only

Join Autopia Tours for an unforgettable day out on the water. Start the day with a reef snorkel, where you can enjoy the beautiful coral gardens and fish. You may even spot some turtles or reef sharks! Then, you’ll head out in search of humpback whales and whale sharks with the help of a spotter plane.

The humpback whale swim is dependent on the willingness of the whales to be part of the tour. In the event that the whales are uncooperative, the plane will search for another group. Should a whale shark be spotted on the day as well, guests can upgrade their ticket to include a whale shark swim for an additional 110 AUD.

All equipment is included as well as a wetsuit if required. Morning and afternoon tea and buffet-style lunch are supplied also.

Note

Please note that these tours are not operated by Autopia Tours and can have different terms and conditions. They recommend that you contact the operator directly via their websites for booking details and terms and conditions.

Weather can impact these tours, which is outside of their control. Tours may be canceled, in which case a full refund will be issued by the operator. As you will be dealing with wildlife, they are always expected but never guaranteed.

What's included

1-way journey from Perth to Exmouth
Admission to all National Parks
Dolphin experience fees
Guided walks (~7km total, Grade 1 - 3)
Australian wildlife sightings, in the wild!
Hosted by an experienced driver-guide
Air-conditioned mini-coach travel
Comprehensive local tour commentary
Selected Perth inner-city pick-up / Exmouth drop-off points
5 nights’ accommodation (Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, and Exmouth x 2)
Includes 5 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, and 5 x dinner (with guest participation)

What's not included

Any meals not indicated within the itinerary - plenty of opportunity will be provided to purchase food along the way or dine out with the group
Hotel transfers pre / post-tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point
Optional activities and / or tours, and hiring extra equipment
Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
Spending money for personal items and expenses

How to get there

Recommended Airports

PER

Perth Airport

501 km

Transfer not provided

Pick-up timings for each location in Perth:

06:45 - Mantra on Hay Perth, 201 Hay St, East Perth
06:45 - Quality Hotel Ambassador Perth, 196 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
06:50 - Pan Pacific Perth, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
07:00 - Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth
07:10 - Rendezvous Hotel Perth Central, 24 Mount St, Perth
07:25 - Criterion Hotel, 560 Hay St, Perth (main pickup)
07:35 - Hostel G, 80 Stirling St, Perth
07:40 - DoubleTree Hilton Perth, 100 James St, Northbridge
07:45 - Spinners Backpackers - 342 Newcastle St Perth
08:05 - Whitfords Train Station, Station Entrance, Kingsley

Autopia Tours may offer complementary inner-city pick-up and drop-off services to selected accommodation providers.

Please note that it is the customer’s responsibility to be waiting out on the front of your selected pickup location (accommodation provider) and not inside the foyer at least 10 minutes before departure.

Failure to wait out the front of your selected location may result in the tour guide being unable to locate you, causing failure to load. Autopia Tours cannot be held responsible for passengers who fail to load.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

Explore

Hello there.
Glad to have you!