Exmouth Adventure Co Coral By Kayak

Map View Full Details Reviews

A half day kayak and snorkel tour on Ningaloo Reef, paddling out to the coral formations of the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone. All equipment is provided, and the 4 hours include travel to and from Exmouth.

Days

4 hours, half day

Age

Group size

Small group, max 16

Start / finish

Exmouth / Exmouth

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Mini-coach from Exmouth accommodation, then double sit-on-top sea kayaks

Meals

Snacks

Route

Map of Exmouth Adventure Co Coral By Kayak

View map

Included experiences

Tantabiddi boat ramp — kayak briefing and 30 minute paddle out
Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone — snorkel from a kayak-only mooring
Ningaloo Reef — coral bombies, staghorn coral gardens and reef fish
North West Cape — guided drive with commentary on the area's history

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

PICK-UP: EXMOUTH TO TANTABIDDI

Your guide collects you from your Exmouth accommodation, just before 7am in the warmer months and late morning in the cooler ones. The town was only built in 1967, to house the people running an American navy communications station, and its tall radio towers stand on the cape you drive around. The half-hour trip takes you around the tip of the North West Cape to the Tantabiddi boat ramp on the reef side. On the way your guide talks about the history and wildlife of the Ningaloo Coast, World Heritage-listed since 2011, and points out emus and kangaroos in the spinifex if they are about.

ON THE WATER: PADDLING OUT

At Tantabiddi you're fitted out with a lifejacket, polarised sunglasses, a sun shirt and a hat, and after a kayaking and safety briefing you push off in a double sit-on-top kayak. The paddle out to the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone takes about 30 minutes across a shallow, sheltered lagoon. Ningaloo Reef is a fringing reef that runs for about 260 km along this coast, and in places it lies only a few hundred metres from the beach, so you start seeing coral under the hull long before you stop. Inside the sanctuary zone all fishing is banned, which is why the fish here are so plentiful.

IN THE WATER: SNORKELLING FROM YOUR KAYAK

Your guide ties the kayaks to a mooring kept for kayaks only, runs through a snorkel briefing, and you slide over the side. Look for the huge porites bombies: these boulder corals grow about a centimetre a year, so one the size of a car has been building for centuries. Around them are gardens of blue and purple staghorn coral, with parrotfish, whose beaks crunch coral and turn it into sand, and pairs of butterflyfish. Ningaloo has more than 300 kinds of coral and 500 kinds of fish. Your guide is in the water with you, pointing things out and taking photos.

BACK TO SHORE AND TOWN

Getting back into the kayak is easier than most people expect, and your guide shows you the trick and lends a hand. Then it's a 30-minute paddle back to the beach, a chance to dry off while the kayaks go onto the trailer, and a snack for the drive home along the cape. Your guide drops you back at your accommodation, and the photos of your morning on the reef are uploaded for you soon after.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your Exmouth town accommodation.
Departure time: Just before 7am from October to March; 11am from April to September.
Minimum age: 8 years old, with no maximum age.
Fitness: An average level of fitness and mobility. Novice snorkellers are welcome; your guide gives a quick lesson on fitting and using the equipment before you snorkel.
Please note: Most tours use double kayaks, so solo travellers may paddle with another guest or the guide. The tour runs with a minimum of 4 people and usually no more than 8; in busy periods up to 16 guests go with 2 guides.

What to bring

Drinking water
Sunscreen, ideally reef-safe
Swimwear or board shorts
Towel

What is included

Double sit-on-top sea kayaks
Lifejackets
Snorkel, mask, fins, and wetsuits in season
Polarised sunglasses
Long sleeve sun shirts and broad brim hats
Dry bags for valuables
Snacks
Pick-up and drop-off from your Exmouth town accommodation
Tour photos taken by your guide

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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 1 review

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)

As a couple of oldies we did the Coral by Kayak tour and it was amazing. Mary and Nick were thoughtful, helpful guides, and we're so glad we did it.

Joanne Cole Verified· Travelled 23rd April 2025

Read original ↗