Snorkeling at Coral Bay: Manta Rays & Reef

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration7h

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Four reef snorkels in one morning, manta rays spotted from the air

Snorkel four separate sites around Coral Bay on the Ningaloo Reef, starting at Bills Bay with reef sharks and coral gardens, then a sea turtle sanctuary, Bateman's Bay with manta rays (located by spotter plane), and a final afternoon snorkel on the return. A live English-speaking guide leads the activity; lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and coffee are included. The full day runs 7 hours from the Coral Bay Ecotours office, with a short bus transfer to the jetty and boat transport between sites.

The Experience

You start at the Coral Bay Ecotours office at 8 am, then ride a short bus to the jetty where you board the vessel. The first snorkel happens at Bills Bay, where the reef opens up to numerous fish, reef sharks and coral gardens—this is where you get your bearings in the water and see what the Ningaloo Reef actually holds. After morning tea, the boat heads to the sea turtle sanctuary, a separate site where you watch turtles feed and surface for air while you're in the water alongside them.

Bateman's Bay is where the manta rays come in. A spotter plane works ahead of the boat to locate them, so when you enter the water there's a real chance of an encounter with the reef's resident mantas—they're present year-round, though the plane's help makes the difference between a hope and an actual sighting. This is the centerpiece of the day, and the setup (guide, boat, aerial spotting) exists to make it happen.

On the return to shore, you stop for a fourth snorkel before heading back. Lunch is a buffet served on the boat, with afternoon tea and snacks filling the gaps between water time. You'll need at least a moderate level of fitness for the full day—the snorkeling itself is the main physical demand, and you're in and out of the water across several hours.

What’s included

Snorkeling at four separate reef sites.
boat transport between sites.
short bus transfer from the office to the jetty.
buffet lunch.
afternoon tea.
snacks.
coffee and tea.
live English-speaking guide for the full 7 hours.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Coral Bay Ecotours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide spotting mantas from a spotter plane while you snorkel at multiple reef sites with other guests; choose a private charter instead if you prefer to snorkel alone or with only your group.