5 of the Best Snorkelling Spots in Exmouth, Western Australia 2026

Exmouth is famous for its marine life and water activities due to the easy access to the Ningaloo Reef. Unlike the famous Great Barrier Reef over on the East Coast where you have to take a boat out to sea, The Ningaloo is accessible just off the shore.

Snorkelling along The Ningaloo is one of the best ways to spot amazing marine life including turtles, stingrays, sharks and an abundance of fish! Here are 5 snorkel spots I would recommend checking out when you’re in Exmouth.

1. Osprey Bay

This is such an iconic and popular snorkelling spot due to the high possibility of seeing turtles. I went snorkeling here 4 times and saw a turtle every single time. Is it very easy access due to the beach and soft sand meaning you can walk straight in, making it popular for families too.

Tip: If you head to Osprey Bay,  make sure to also check out Sandy Bay only a 10 minute walk over via a designated footpath. This big bay is perfect for the whole family as the water is quite shallow. However, I still had a snorkel here and spotted a lot of turtles and stingrays!

2. Oyster Stacks

This snorkel spot is only available at certain tide times. The tide has be high, make sure to check out the tide times at the visitor centre before going. Once in the water, it is bustling with amazing marine life! The stacks and rock formation make amazing homes for all the ocean creatures making it a truly epic spot.

3. Turquoise Bay Drift

This snorkelling requires very little effort as the drift will carry you along the water. Walk down the beach and enter towards the left if you’re coming from the main car park and float over the corals and reef. I saw a white tip reef shark here, so make sure to check this out! 

Note: Make sure you exit before the sandy tip as the current is strong. Read the signs before entering the water and if you don’t feel confident, don’t enter the water.

4. South Lefroy

Located on the Ningaloo Marine Park and its 4 wheel drive access only. This is another drift snorkel and you will need to swim around 30 metres out to get to the reef. There’s a lot of fish here and spear fishing is allowed here if you want to catch your dinner!

5. Lakeside

This snorkel spot is easily accessible with a big beach for you to relax on afterwards. Once you park up you will have to walk around 20 minutes to access the sanctuary zone for the snorkelling area, but it is definitely worth the walk. 

Snorkelling Tips:

Get the gear

Get yourself a decent mask, snorkel and flippers. If you’re unsure what to get, go into a dive shop and ask. If you’re a beginner and don’t want to invest in expensive equipment, places like Decathlon or smaller camping/outdoor shops sell sets.

Don’t get fogged!

Having your mask fog up when you’re trying to spot the amazing marine life can get very annoying. Get yourself some anti-fog spray or just make sure to clean the inside of your mask before every single use. I just use washing up liquid and water which seems to do the trick!

Cover up

If you’re going to be in the water for a long time, make sure to put on plenty of suncream especially on your back, bum and legs. It could also be worth getting a long sleeve swimsuit that keeps your arms covered. Not only does this protect you from the sun, but it will stop you from getting scratches from rocks.

Bring a buddy

I always recommend snorkeling with somebody and not going alone. The water can be dangerous and currents can change quickly. Bring a friend so that you can keep an eye on one another for safety, it’s also way more fun to see the fish and turtles together!

So make sure to check out these amazing snorkel spots in Exmouth and on the Ningaloo.

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