Coral Bay Ecotours Turtle Ecotour

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Three hours on the Ningaloo Reef aboard the only glass bottom boat that runs a turtle tour from Coral Bay. Watch turtles feeding through the glass floor, then get in the water at two snorkel sites with the gear supplied.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Shared glass bottom boat

Start / finish

Coral Bay / Coral Bay

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Glass bottom boat Nhanya-Ku from the beach at Coral Bay

Meals

Tea, coffee, Milo and biscuits

Route

Map of Coral Bay Ecotours Turtle Ecotour

View map

Included experiences

Coral Bay — watch turtles feeding through the glass floor
Ningaloo Reef — snorkel at two sites
Coral gardens — view the reef from the boat
Fish feeding — feed reef fish from the boat

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

BOARDING ON THE BEACH

Check in at the shop in the middle of Coral Bay, then it's a two-minute walk to the beach where Nhanya-Ku waits. She is a glass bottom boat built for this reef, and this is the only turtle tour in Coral Bay run on one. The Baiyungu name means "to gaze upon". Tours leave in the morning or early afternoon, and the boat heads out over the sheltered water of Bills Bay, where the town's beach drops straight onto coral.

TURTLES THROUGH THE GLASS

The crew know where the turtles come to feed, and turtles are in the bay all year. Through the glass floor you watch them grazing and rising to breathe, while the crew explain how to tell the kinds apart and how they behave. Green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles all nest along the Ningaloo Reef. On the way you drift over coral gardens, and there's a stop to feed the fish, when the water under the glass fills with colour.

TWO SNORKEL STOPS

The boat then anchors at two snorkel sites the crew pick for the day's conditions. Snorkel gear is handed out on board, but wetsuits aren't supplied, so bring your own if you feel the cold. Ningaloo is home to more than 500 kinds of fish, and here you meet them at eye level. Booked as an observer? You stay dry on deck and keep watching the reef through the glass while the swimmers are in. Between swims there's tea, coffee, Milo and biscuits.

BACK TO CORAL BAY

After about three hours the boat runs back in to the beach, and you step off a few minutes' walk from the town's cafés.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coral Bay Ecotours shop, People's Park shopping village, Robinson Street, next to Fins Cafe. Check in 15 minutes before; the boat leaves from the beach in front of the shop.
Departure time: Morning and early afternoon departures; your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 3 hours.
Suits: All fitness levels. Children are welcome; infants and small children can come in a pram and infants sit on an adult's lap.
Please note: Snorkellers should be competent swimmers, and the crew can keep anyone in the boat who they feel is not. Anyone 15 or under must stay with a parent or guardian on the boat and in the water. Tours depend on weather and tides, so times are approximate and the boat may be changed. No smoking on board.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Your own wetsuit if you want one
Sun protection
Any medication you need, such as an asthma puffer or EpiPen

What is included

Three hour turtle tour on the glass bottom boat Nhanya-Ku
Turtle viewing, coral viewing and fish feeding
Snorkelling at two sites
Snorkel gear
Coffee, tea, Milo and biscuits

Not included

Wetsuits (not supplied on this tour)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the three-hour glass-bottom boat trip with a turtle sanctuary visit and two snorkelling spots, and both spots were excellent. The guide and skipper were fantastic with our three kids aged 9, 7 and 5, and the pace was relaxed.

Goddard849 Verified· Travelled 20th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the three-hour turtle ecotour with our 5 and 3 year olds. The glass bottom let our youngest see loads of fish and turtles without getting wet, the number of turtles was amazing and the snorkelling was some of the best we've done.

Susannah Gibbs Verified· Travelled 8th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the three-hour glass-bottom boat turtle and snorkelling tour. Mike and Hailey shared lots of insights about the reef and animals, and the mix of snorkelling and glass-bottom viewing suited our family perfectly.

Lena Kramer Verified· Travelled 1st August 2026

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(5/5)

We went on the 9am turtle and snorkelling trip on a calm sea. Marina and skipper Evie explained the reef and animals in detail and Marina guided us snorkelling, where we saw several turtles, lots of colourful fish and many kinds of coral. The glass bottom showed plenty we'd otherwise only see underwater.

Germaine Schüepp Verified· Travelled 26th April 2026

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