Ticking off one of the vital seven herbal wonders of the arena or swimming with whale sharks? The humming East Coast or the crimson barren lands of Western Australia for your doorstep?
Australia is fortunate to have two wonderful coral reefs. The Nice Barrier Reef at the East Coast is the arena’s greatest coral reef – it’s so giant you’ll be able to see it from house. Ningaloo Reef at the West Coast is extra of a hidden gem… smartly, it’s unquestionably no longer hidden because it’s 260 km lengthy, but it surely’s extra faraway, more difficult to get to and draws fewer guests.
We don’t assume it could be truthful to mention whether or not Ningaloo or Nice Barrier Reef is higher. Each reefs boast an abundance of marine lifestyles and actions to stay you busy above and underneath the water. That being stated, some elements would possibly sway your choice on the place to head on your subsequent journey.
| Ningaloo Reef | Nice Barrier Reef |
| Credentials: It’s a UNESCO International Heritage Website | Credentials: It’s one of the vital Seven Herbal Wonders of the International and a UNESCO International Heritage Website |
| Measurement: 5,000 km² (1930 sq miles) | Measurement: 348,700 km² (135,000 sq miles) |
| Form of reef: Fringing (you’ll be able to swim to it from the shore at Coral Bay) | Form of reef: Barrier (you’ll be able to most effective get admission to it by means of boat) |
| A laugh reality: It makes up 50% of all residing coral within the Indian Ocean | A laugh reality: It’s the international’s greatest coral reef device |
Easiest for marine lifestyles
Each reefs are brimming with numerous marine lifestyles. The Nice Barrier Reef is house to over 1,500 species of tropical fish, 130 shark and ray species, and three,000 species of molluscs. You’ll most likely see sea cucumbers, sea slugs, clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, massive clams and lots of alternative fish whilst you’re within the water.
It’s additionally house to bigger sea creatures together with 30 species of dolphins and whales, and 6 sorts of turtles. You’re by no means assured to peer larger animals when snorkelling or diving, however you have got an excellent chance of seeing pods of humpbacks and dwarf minke whales (and lovely calves) between Might and August once they migrate from Antarctica. Bottlenose dolphins reside within the water all yr spherical, however you may also be fortunate to peer Indo-Pacific humpback, spinner and Australian snubfin dolphins. Glance out for those curious critters driving the bow of your boat.
Ningaloo Reef is house to 500 species of fish and quite a lot of different marine lifestyles together with turtles, dolphins, dugongs and rays. You’ll be able to swim with majestic manta rays all yr spherical, however Might via September is the most productive time as there are extra of them. Turtle nesting season runs from November via March when feminine turtles make the strenuous adventure ashore to put their eggs. You’ll be able to see eggs hatching alongside the seashore between February and March.
The largest drawcard for Ningaloo is the chance to swim with whale sharks. They migrate between mid-March and July to seek for krill and plankton. Those delicate giants span as much as 10 metres lengthy and seeing them up shut is little short of magical. Ningaloo Reef additionally has one of the vital greatest gatherings of humpbacks on this planet. They sign up for the whale sharks from June till November on their adventure from Antarctica. Should you set up to peer each species, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Easiest for coral
Spanning a whopping 2,300 kilometres, the Nice Barrier Reef isn’t a herbal surprise of the arena for no reason why. To position this into point of view, it’s larger than Tassie and Victoria blended! It’s additionally the one residing organism that may be noticed from house. It is composed of 1000’s of particular person reefs and about 600 species of coral that give a boost to this wonderful ecosystem.
It may not be as giant because the Nice Barrier Reef, however Ningaloo remains to be one of the vital international’s greatest (and healthiest) fringing reefs. It’s house to more or less 200 species of arduous coral and 50 species of sentimental coral. The Nice Barrier Reef has larger and extra numerous coral gardens, however Ningaloo’s are simply as impressive. From spiky, skeletal-looking formations within the shallows to cushy, spongy and jelly-like coral, each reefs are a colourful underwater playground ready to be explored.
We will’t discuss coral with out citing bleaching, which occurs when corals are stressed out and expel their algae – normally because of emerging water temperatures. A number of sections of the Nice Barrier Reef have skilled mass bleaching, whilst Ningaloo has skilled minimum bleaching. Bleached corals can soar again if water stipulations go back to standard, which highlights the significance of performing now towards local weather alternate. Intrepid is dedicated to protective our oceans and the marine lifestyles inside of them. That’s simply one of the vital the reason why we’re a carbon impartial corporate and whilst you trip with us, we offset the carbon emissions out of your commute by means of making an investment in renewable power tasks.
Easiest for climate
Each reefs revel in two seasons: summer time (rainy) and iciness (dry). Shouldered by means of the Indian Ocean, Ningaloo Reef reviews heat climate and water temperatures all yr spherical. It will get round 320 days of light and sees reasonable rainfall of lower than 250mm, maximum of which falls in February and March. We dare say the elements is virtually all the time assured to be gentle. Even within the coolest months, daylight hours highs hardly dip underneath 24°C and the water is a pleasing 22°C. November via February are the most up to date months with prime humidity and air temperatures that high 35°C.
The Nice Barrier Reef reviews a tropical local weather with heat temperatures all yr spherical. Summers are scorching and humid with common downpours and a mean water temperature of 30°C, whilst winters are heat, dry and sunny with a mean water temperature lingering at a comfy 23°C. Iciness is the most productive time to discuss with as the elements is extra constant and visibility is in most cases higher.
Easiest for actions (but even so snorkelling and diving)
The Ningaloo Coast is wild and untouched with huge seashores and crimson sand wilderness inland. It feels very remoted, however that’s what makes it so shocking. While you’ve had your vitamin-sea repair, there’s so much to do ashore. Relax on Exmouth’s pristine seashores, watch turtle eggs hatch or discover Cape Vary Nationwide Park’s deep gorges, caves and limestone cliffs.
The Nice Barrier Reef could be a bit extra touristy, however you’ve gotta’ love simply how a lot there may be to peer and do alongside the East Coast. Maximum excursions get started from Cairns or Airlie Seashore the place you’ll in finding white sandy seashores, vigorous bars and eating places, and tropical rainforests together with the Daintree (ahem, the oldest rainforest in the world). You’ve additionally were given the Whitsundays which is house to bucket-list seashores like Whitehaven Seashore.
Easiest for accessibility
The Nice Barrier Reef is huge and there are more than one access issues alongside the East Coast, which is easily attached with air, bus and educate networks. You’ll be able to additionally in finding lodging and vacationer facilities simply. One of the best ways to discuss with the Nice Barrier Reef is to fly into Cairns, Hamilton Island Airport (sometimes called the Nice Barrier Reef Airport) or Whitsunday Coast Airport in Propsperine. From right here you’ll be able to take a ship excursion to the reef. The adventure can take as much as 1.5 hours relying on the start line.
Not like the Nice Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef is situated simply off the shore of Coral Bay and you’ll be able to merely pop for your snorkel and swim out to it if you need! The opposite start line for excursions is Exmouth, which has extra lodging choices, eating places and issues to do. Attending to Coral Bay or Exmouth is slightly of a trek in case you’re travelling from outdoor of WA. The nearest airport is in Learmonth (36 km south of Exmouth), and you’ll be able to most effective fly direct from a couple of locations in Australia together with Perth, Rockhampton and Paraburdoo. It could be more uncomplicated to fly into Perth and switch to Learmonth by means of automobile.
We are hoping this information has given you a greater thought of the place to head on your subsequent coastal journey. Regardless of which reef you select, we haven’t any doubt you’ll have an awesome time exploring those unbelievable underwater worlds.
Sign up for us on a Nice Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef excursion.