Must Do Eco Glamping & Sailing

For the ultimate Ningaloo eco-luxury experience combining at a stay at Sal Salis located in the white sand dunes of Cape Range National Park and then days out sailing in smooth calm waters, winding our way through spectacular dense coral formations that surround Coral Bay.

Sailing via Batemans Bay, home to a population of majestic Manta Rays, there will be plenty of opportunities to view Turtles, Dolphins, Dugongs, Whales (seasonal) without even getting in the water!  Then just imagine the thrill of what you may discover when you put on a mask, snorkel and fins!

Inclusions

• Airport Transfers between Learmonth Airport and Coral Bay
• Airport pick up and drop off to Sal Salis from Learmonth and from Coral Bay to Learmonth
• 3 Nights Stay at Sal Salis on a twin share basis (King or twin bed configuration)
• Scenic Flight from Yardie Creek to Coral Bay including transfers to/from Airstrips
• 3 Nights stay aboard Shore Thing in a Deluxe Double cabin with share facilities (upgrade available)
• Restaurant quality meals – freshly prepared meals & snacks
• Non-alcoholic refreshments – water, brewed teas & coffee, fruit juice & soft drink (Alcohol is not included – a selection of quality beers, WA wine and select spirits are available for purchase on board. Sorry – No BYO)
• Eco friendly shampoo, conditioner and body wash, bath & beach towels
• Linen and bath towels, beach towels
• Snorkelling Equipment
• Kayaking equipment
• Sun screen lotion
• Fishing equipment
• Scuba tanks and weights

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Learmonth/Exmouth airport (flight not included) and meet your road transfer to Sal Salis for a 3 night stay in a Wilderness Tent with eco-friendly ensuite.

Accommodation is in nine freestanding, spacious tents on raised platforms. Each has an eco-friendly en suite bathroom with a solar hot water shower. Designed to blend with the dunes and low-lying coastal scrub, the tents have comfortable beds with fabulous views of the Indian Ocean.

Guests may help themselves to a selection of beverages from the open bar. Watch the resident chef as he prepares contemporary Australian cuisine with hints of native produce. Dinner is shared with other guests, your guides and hosts against a backdrop of rich orange sunsets.

Day 2 -3 – Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
Enjoy a variety of guided activities including gorge walking, kayaking and snorkeling trips. Join a whale shark charter during the season (1 April – 31 July) (*additional charges apply) or simply just relax and unwind.

Ningaloo Reef is the longest western fringing coral reef and one of the last healthy major coral reef systems in the world. Its profound diversity includes 500 fish species, 300 coral species, 600 mollusc species and many other marine invertebrates. At certain times of the year Ningaloo is home to Whale Sharks, the world’s largest fish and Humpback whales migrate through the area twice annually.

Endangered and vulnerable marine creatures including dugongs, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, depend on the reef and coastal ecosystems for food, refuge, breeding and nesting. Manta rays and populations of large game fish including sailfish and marlin abound in the reef’s waters. Sea birds and migratory waders use the coast, wetlands and reef waters as resting, feeding and breeding sites.

Above ground too there is plenty of unique Australian fauna that is much easier to find and enjoy! Rock wallabies, red kangaroos, euros, eighty species of reptiles, and over one hundred species of birds live on the cape.

Day 4 – Yardie Creek to Coral Bay, Scenic Flight
Depart from the historical Yardie Creek Station for a 45 minute scenic flight over the Cape Range National Park. You will fly out over the spectacular Ningaloo Reef. You might see spot humpback whales or whale sharks from your window! Arrive into Coral bay airstrip for a road transfer to board Shore Thing at the Coral Bay jetty for a 16:00 departure. Slide back into the water for an afternoon snorkel with the dedicated crew of Sail Ningaloo.

Day 5 – Sail Snorkel & Dive Ningaloo, Shore Thing Sailing Catamaran
After breakfast your crew will select the best snorkel or dive sites based on the conditions. Some of the favourites include “North Reef Nursery”, “Asho’s Gap” and “Pandora’s Garden”. Swim amongst hundreds of species of colourful reef fish and look for reef sharks and turtles cruising by. We seek out dugongs and dolphins as we travel to our evenings anchorage at Point Maud. From June – October there is a fantastic opportunity to observe Humpback Whales as they migrate along the Ningaloo coast.

Day 6
Following breakfast, enjoy a morning snorkel at “The Stag Forest”, a beautiful coral garden exhibiting stunning branching coral formations. After morning tea set sail for our next snorkel location the “Sanctuary”. We will likely see reef sharks and turtles cruising by and large rays resting. Snorkel along sandy underwater pathways fringed by hard coral outcrops rising to the waters surface. A freshly prepared gourmet buffet lunch is on the menu before immersing yourself into Ningaloo’s clear waters. The day winds down with another snorkel before a sumptuous two course meal and well deserved rest.

Day 7 
Sailing to more snorkel sites to experience the best marine life based on the conditions. Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay is home to a resident population of coastal Manta Rays that frequent year round. Enjoy a presentation from your local guide on Manta Ray biology and behavior along the Ningaloo Reef and then snorkel with one of these graceful rays. You can assist identifying the Manta Rays via photo identification. A sumptuous buffet lunch awaits. One last snorkel or dive awaits at “Asho’s Gap” which is a cleaning station for grey reef sharks.

Return to Coral Bay approximately 12:30pm. You have the option to catch the afternoon airport transfer to Learmonth airport. Or you may choose to relax in Coral Bay for a couple of extra nights and join a whale shark tour in season, or just chill out on the beach.

Optional Add On

Swim with Whale Sharks – late March to late July (95% sighting success rate) but the whale sharks may be around early March to late September.

• 6 Nights / 7 Days
• From $6,485 per person – double/twin share
• March to November 2024