Manta Ray on the Ningaloo Reef

Perth and The Ningaloo Reef

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

8 Days

Prices Start from

£3,695pp(ex. flights)

Spend time exploring Australia’s laid-back city of Perth before heading north to the Ningaloo Reef, home to pristine beaches and a magical underwater world.

After three nights in Perth, fly north and escape the world at Sal Salis, a remote beach side bush camp, steps from the Ningaloo reef, offering world class snorkelling and the chance to swim with some of the oceans giants. Extension suggestions include self driving south to the vineyards and whales of Margaret River, or journeying north to the huge vistas and ancient Aboriginal lands of The Kimberley’s or Kakadu & Arnhem Land.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Aerial View of Sal Salis, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia 1

Beachside Glamping

Go kayaking, fishing, walking or just relax in a hammock and read a book at Sal Salis Wilderness Camp.

Perth, Australia 2

Explore Perth City

Explore the parklands, beaches, nearby vineyards and wealth of bars and restaurants in Perth.

Tale end of a whale shark as it swims away. 3

Ocean Giants of Ningaloo

Snorkel amidst colourful corals and swim with manta rays, whale sharks or humpbacks.

Far reaching view stood under overhanging rock covered in aboriginal rock art. 4

Optional Extensions

Explore vineyards and spot migrating whales in Margaret River or camp out in remote Aboriginal land.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Perth

  • Days 2 - 3

    Perth

  • Day 4

    Perth - Exmouth - Ningaloo Reef

  • Days 5 - 6

    Ningaloo Reef

  • Day 7

    Ningaloo Reef

  • Day 8

    Ningaloo Reef - Exmouth (Learmonth Airport)

Day 1

Perth

Arrive into Perth and transfer to your accommodation.

Days 2 - 3

Perth

Spend two days exploring Perth. With a harbour to rival Sydney, Perth is full of vibrant markets, world class restaurants, gardens and parks. Visit Rottnest island, an offshore nature reserve and home to the quokka, a small wallaby-like marsupial. Just 30 minutes from Perth is Freemantle; vibrant and artistic it also has a fascinating maritime history and Victorian architecture.

Day 4

Perth - Exmouth - Ningaloo Reef

Transfer to the airport for your two hour flight to Exmouth before transferring one hour south to your beachfront accommodation at Sal Salis.

Days 5 - 6

Ningaloo Reef

Spend days relaxing, snorkelling, kayaking and swimming from the beach.

Day 7

Ningaloo Reef

Swim with whale sharks or humpbacks, both of which migrate along this coastline every year – whale sharks from March to August and humpbacks from July to October. The waters of Ningaloo are also home to manta ray as well as being a major breeding ground for various species of turtle which nest on the beaches between September and December.

Day 8

Ningaloo Reef - Exmouth (Learmonth Airport)

Transfer to Exmouth and Learmonth airport for onward travel. Fly north to Broome and onto Darwin for some time in the outback or fly back to Perth. pick up a hire car and drive south to explore the vineyards and whales of Margaret River.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Aerial View of Sal Salis, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Sal Salis
Underwater shot of snorkeller on Ningaloo Reef.
Snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef
Whale shark underwater with snorkeller alongside.
Swimming with whale sharks

Escape The World

Get truly off the grid for four nights at the wonderful Sal Salis tented camp. Where outback meets the reef, this slice of paradise offers a blissful escape from the outside world. A range of activities are included during your stay here including kayaking, walking and snorkelling, with the chance to swim with whale sharks (March to August) or humpback whales (July to October) as an optional add on. The Cape Range National Park is also on the doorstep and is home to the iconic red kangaroo plus a host of wonderful birdlife.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Sal Salis £££££

  • Australia
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Hidden in the dunes overlooking a pristine beach, this exclusive and environmentally friendly bush camp has the most isolated and stunning location. The corals and the magical underwater world of the Ningaloo Reef are just metres away.

View Property

COMO The Treasury £££££

  • Australia
  • City

COMO The Treasury is a 48 room boutique hotel housed in a group of late Victorian buildings. Beautifully renovated, these important historical buildings once served as a post office, treasury as well as being home to the cities original seat of government.

View Property

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

The team at Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo contribute to several ongoing data collection studies of marine life at Ningaloo Reef and the Muiron Islands. These include whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales; delivering valuable information towards environmental studies and research, and marine management.

Sal Salis bush camp does everything possible to minimise impact on the surrounding environment; it is almost 100% solar powered, chemical free amenities are used, all tents have composting toilets and any waste generated is carefully disposed of.

All of the vessels operated by Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo utilise desalination systems that convert seawater into freshwater. Required for numerous functions, from drinking water and food preparation, to deck and exterior washdowns. It is estimated that around 300 litres of fresh water is saved per day utilising this technology, adding up to 60,000 litres per year.

Western Australia: The Kimberley’s

Journey to the far north of Western Australia to explore The Kimberley’s. Wildly beautiful landscapes sweep between cavernous gorges and open savanna woodland to a dramatic coastline of river networks, huge waterfalls and mangroves with phenomenal tidal systems. Unseen caves hide ancient rock paintings and evidence of prehistoric life. Join an expeditionary cruise for remote and privileged access or stay on a traditional homestead for a real taste of the people and culture.

7 days - Price on request

Mitchell Falls & Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley, Western Australia, Australia
The Kimberley, Australia

South Australia: Outback & Wine

Fly into Adelaide, South Australia’s coastal capital and venture inland to get off grid and explore the spectacular outback scenery of the Flinders Ranges. Stay on an outback sheep station and experience this vast regions rich Aboriginal history, ancient fossil sites and wealth of wildlife before sampling world-class wines amidst the vineyards of the Barossa and Clare Valleys.

5 days - Price on request

Dawn, Flinders Ranges
168854309, Flinders Ranges, Australia

Australia: Kakadu & Arnhem Land

An extension to the Northern Territories works perfectly between May and October for wildlife, waterfalls and Aboriginal culture. Fly to Darwin and journey overland into the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Spend three days exploring floodplains and vast panoramas in the company of Lords Safaris. Camp out and experience a remote and magical part of Australia alongside guides who offer privileged access to sacred Aboriginal lands.

4 days from £1,995 pp

Local Aboriginal people with Sab Lord, Arnhemland, Australia
Sab Lord Safaris

Australia: Margaret River – Whales & Wine

Located around three hours south of Perth, the Margaret River adds a lovely self drive addition to this holiday. Spend three nights at Cape Lodge spending time exploring local vineyards and the unspoilt coastline. Between September and November, humpback, southern right and even blue whale can be seen off the coast of Dunsborough as they nurse and rest with their calves enroute to Antarctica. Between May and August the picturesque seaside town of Augusta is one of the best locations in Australia to view Humpback whales as they make their epic migration north, filling the beautiful Flinders Bay area.

4 days from £1,095 pp

Whale Breach off coast of Western Australia
Humpback whale breaching of the coast of Western Australia

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £3,695 Per person

When to travel

As with most parts of Australia, not all areas of Western Australia are good to visit at that same time. The Ningaloo Reef is wonderful from April to September and it is possible to swim with whale sharks and humpback during a number of these months. From October to March, this area is hot but there are sea breezes and the waters are glorious.

The Margaret River region to the south of Perth is perfect from October to March. Outside of this period it can be wet and cold.

The far north from Broome to The Kimberley has a more extreme climate and most properties close from October to March when the monsoon rains arrive and the weather is very humid. These areas are perfect from June to September.

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