Snorkeling Ningaloo Reef & Yardie Creek: full-day Exmouth safari

Ningaloo Reef and Yardie Creek in one day, without piecing it together yourself

A full-day snorkeling and sightseeing tour from Exmouth combines three Ningaloo coast stops: Charles Knife Canyon for morning tea and views, Ningaloo Reef for snorkeling in clear lagoons, and a boat cruise up Yardie Creek through red limestone cliffs. A guide leads the day, transport and snorkel gear are included, and lunch is prepared on-site. Children from age 6 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ningaloo Coast and Yardie Creek

• Ascend Charles Knife Gorge for morning tea
• Swim or snorkel at Ningaloo Reef
• Visit Milyering Discovery Centre and have lunch
• Cruise Yardie Creek on Ningaloo Safari boat
• Stop at Lighthouse Hill for photos

The Experience

The day starts at Charles Knife Canyon at the top of Cape Range, where you climb to the rim for morning tea and views across the Exmouth Gulf. From there, the route heads to Ningaloo Reef—the lagoons sit in water clear enough to see the bottom, and you snorkel or swim depending on what suits you. Snorkel gear is provided, and flotation devices are available if you need them. The guide takes photos throughout the day, so you don't have to choose between holding the camera and being in the moment.

Lunch is a hamper meal prepared by your guide, eaten while you're still at Ningaloo. Afterward, you board the Spirit of Yardie for a boat cruise up Yardie Creek, where the gorge walls rise in sheer red limestone on both sides. The creek is narrow enough that you can spot the giant osprey nests high on the cliff face and the black-footed rock wallabies sunning themselves on the rocks below. On the return to Exmouth, the route passes Lighthouse Hill for a final vantage point over the coast. The full day runs 8 hours, with an air-conditioned vehicle handling the transport between stops.

The tour suits families and solo travelers, and it works for all fitness levels. Children from age 6 can join. Morning tea, lunch, snacks and all snorkel equipment are included; you bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a full water bottle, and enclosed footwear for the walks. The guide speaks English and is there to answer questions about the area's history and wildlife.

What’s included

• Full-day transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• snorkel gear and flotation devices if needed.
• morning tea and a prepared lunch.
• snacks.
• entrance fees to the parks and reserves.
• tour photos taken by your guide.
• a knowledgeable English-speaking guide leading the day from 9am to 5pm.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Exmouth Adventure Co

Is this one for you?Book this if you want three separate landscapes—canyon, reef, and gorge—visited in one day with a guide steering the route and timing; the boat cruise works best in smaller groups where you'll hear the guide clearly and spot wildlife more easily than in a larger crowd.

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Top questions

What's the water like at Ningaloo Reef when you snorkel there?

Ningaloo Reef's lagoons have crystal-clear water shallow enough to see the bottom, so visibility is high whether you're snorkeling or swimming. Snorkel gear is provided, and flotation devices are available if you want them.

Can I bring my kids on this snorkeling tour from Exmouth?

Children from age 6 are welcome on the tour. The day includes a mix of stops—canyon views, reef snorkeling, and a boat cruise—so there's variety for different ages, and the full-day format means you're not rushing between sites.

What happens at Yardie Creek during the boat cruise?

Yardie Creek is a narrow gorge with sheer red limestone walls on both sides. The boat navigates its tranquil waters so you can spot giant osprey nests high on the cliff face and black-footed rock wallabies on the rocks. The cruise is part of the full-day route, not a separate add-on.

Is lunch included, and can you handle dietary needs?

Lunch is a hamper meal prepared by your guide and included in the tour price. Dietary needs are accommodated—mention them when you book so the guide can prepare accordingly.

What do I need to bring for a full day of snorkeling and sightseeing in Exmouth?

Bring enclosed footwear (trainers or enclosed sandals) for the walks, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (reef-safe is recommended), and a full water bottle. Bathers or board shorts, a towel, and a camera are optional—the guide also takes photos you can purchase. The tour provides snorkel gear, morning tea, lunch, snacks and transport.