The beaches and the waters of Coral Bay are located within the Ningaloo Marine Park which extends all the way up to Exmouth. Unlike the Great Barrier reef which requires high speed transportation to access it, the Ningaloo reef is right at your doorstep. You can walk off the beach into the water and snorkel at your leisure. We had discussed the possibility of driving further north, but after arriving in Coral Bay we knew it was unnecessary. We parked our campa, kicked back and relaxed at the People's Caravan Park. We even splurged on an ocean front site. Our view? Another fabulous white, sandy beach and more turquoise water. All only 50 metres from our doorstep. Coral Bay has everything you need. It's another sleepy, beach town consisting of two grocery stores, a news agent, a bakery, a gift shop, a day spa and quite a few tour operators. Oh yes, and don't forget the single petrol station where the price is a whopping $1.62 per litre.
Happily, we arrived at our destination in the early afternoon on Australia Day. The Aussie flags were flying high and the mood was festive. We parked our campa, set up our lawn chairs, grabbed a cold beverage and sat down to watch our new neighbours engaged in a friendly match of cricket. We later learned they are the Tamati tribe from Paraburdoo, an inland mining town where the temperature reaches fifty two degrees at this time of year. Riki, Dani, Jake, Taine, Sienna and Kale came to enjoy the warmth, and the cool breezes of the coast for the last two weeks of school vacation.
We did not have a lot of demands on our time. Breakfast always included two full cups of coffee. Craig worked on his Sudoku puzzles while Lynda read yet another book. As soon as the coffee was finished three-year-old Kale was eager to invite Craig to cricket practice. (Craig bowling and Kale batting, of course.) Our afternoons always included a trip to the beach. The water was warm enough for Lynda to go in and while we were snorkelling we saw lots of different reef fish. One of the most common was the Spangled Emperor. A school of them and some hangers-on patrol the shallows looking for food. They are very friendly. Probably a result of the daily fish feeding conducted by one of the tour operators. One day we made a trek out to the shark nursery and Point Maud. The protected waters of the reef are ideal for the baby, reef sharks that inhabit the area. We must have seen at least forty of them during our walk. It is amazing how close you can get to them. (Not that Lynda was leaving the safety of the beach.)
After a fabulous five days and four nights, we said goodbye to our new friends and started our journey back to Perth. Craig is on the countdown. There are only fourteen more days of barefeet and flip flops as his footwear of choice. He'd better start looking for those socks and running shoes now...
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Happily, we arrived at our destination in the early afternoon on Australia Day. The Aussie flags were flying high and the mood was festive. We parked our campa, set up our lawn chairs, grabbed a cold beverage and sat down to watch our new neighbours engaged in a friendly match of cricket. We later learned they are the Tamati tribe from Paraburdoo, an inland mining town where the temperature reaches fifty two degrees at this time of year. Riki, Dani, Jake, Taine, Sienna and Kale came to enjoy the warmth, and the cool breezes of the coast for the last two weeks of school vacation. 
We did not have a lot of demands on our time. Breakfast always included two full cups of coffee. Craig worked on his Sudoku puzzles while Lynda read yet another book. As soon as the coffee was finished three-year-old Kale was eager to invite Craig to cricket practice. (Craig bowling and Kale batting, of course.) Our afternoons always included a trip to the beach. The water was warm enough for Lynda to go in and while we were snorkelling we saw lots of different reef fish. One of the most common was the Spangled Emperor. A school of them and some hangers-on patrol the shallows looking for food. They are very friendly. Probably a result of the daily fish feeding conducted by one of the tour operators. One day we made a trek out to the shark nursery and Point Maud. The protected waters of the reef are ideal for the baby, reef sharks that inhabit the area. We must have seen at least forty of them during our walk. It is amazing how close you can get to them. (Not that Lynda was leaving the safety of the beach.)
After a fabulous five days and four nights, we said goodbye to our new friends and started our journey back to Perth. Craig is on the countdown. There are only fourteen more days of barefeet and flip flops as his footwear of choice. He'd better start looking for those socks and running shoes now...
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