Why cruise the Coral Coast?
Stretching from Geraldton north to Exmouth and beyond, the Coral Coast encompasses some of Australia's most extraordinary marine environments. The Ningaloo Reef — the world's largest fringing coral reef — sits just metres from the shore, while the remote Houtman Abrolhos Islands host pristine coral gardens, abundant wildlife and centuries of maritime history.
Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo is accessible directly from the beach, and the waters here are home to whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales, dugongs and an extraordinary diversity of reef fish. A cruise is the ideal way to explore these remote coastlines — reaching anchorages and islands that are simply inaccessible by road.
260 km
Ningaloo Reef length
122
Abrolhos Islands
5–14
Days duration
Mar–Nov
Best season
What to expect
Ningaloo Reef
Snorkel directly from the beach or tender onto the world's largest fringing coral reef — teeming with reef fish, turtles, manta rays and, in season, the magnificent whale shark.
Abrolhos Islands
Explore 122 remote islands with pristine coral gardens, sea lion colonies, nesting seabirds and the dramatic history of the 1629 Batavia shipwreck — one of Australia's most notorious maritime disasters.
Whale Sharks & Marine Life
Swim alongside the world's largest fish in the waters off Ningaloo, or encounter humpback whales, dugongs, dolphins and manta rays throughout the season.
Montebello Islands
A remote archipelago of over 100 islands in the Pilbara coast — renowned for exceptional fishing, pristine beaches, abundant birdlife and some of the most untouched waters in Australia.
Best time to cruise the Coral Coast
The Coral Coast can be cruised for much of the year, with different seasons offering different highlights. The key is matching your travel dates to the experiences you most want — whale sharks, humpback whales, calm seas or wildflower season.
March – May
Whale Shark SeasonThe most sought-after time to visit Ningaloo. Whale sharks arrive from around March following the mass coral spawning event, and sightings are common through to July. The weather is warm and settled, seas are generally calm, and the reef is at its most vibrant. The Abrolhos Islands are also excellent at this time of year.
- Whale shark swimming at Ningaloo
- Coral spawning event (March)
- Calm settled seas
- Warm water temperatures 24–27°C
June – August
Peak SeasonThe heart of the dry season and the most comfortable time to cruise. Days are warm and sunny, nights are cool, and the seas are reliably calm. Humpback whales begin arriving from June on their northward migration, and whale shark season continues through July. The Abrolhos Islands are spectacular in the clear winter light.
- Humpback whale watching from June
- Whale sharks continue through July
- Clearest water visibility
- Ideal cruising conditions
September – October
Humpback SeasonHumpback whales are at peak numbers as they begin their southward migration with calves. Manta ray aggregations are common at Ningaloo, and the weather remains excellent. Temperatures begin to warm through October as the build-up approaches in the north.
- Humpback whales with calves
- Manta ray aggregations
- Excellent snorkelling conditions
- Warming temperatures
November – February
Off SeasonThe wet season brings higher temperatures and the possibility of cyclones in the north. Most cruise operators do not operate Coral Coast itineraries during this period. The Abrolhos Islands can still be visited in calmer conditions, and some operators run limited itineraries in the southern areas around Geraldton.
- Limited cruise operations
- Higher temperatures
- Cyclone risk in the north
- Some southern Abrolhos itineraries available
Frequently asked questions
Coral Coast Cruise Routes
Every vessel, every itinerary — all Coral Coast and West Coast cruises in one place.
5 Day Abrolhos Islands Cruise
From $2,999
per person
Departing Geraldton, explore the Houtman Abrolhos Islands — a remote archipelago of 122 islands with pristine coral reefs, abundant marine wildlife, fascinating maritime history and the site of the 1629 Batavia shipwreck.
- Houtman Abrolhos Islands
- Pristine coral reef snorkelling
- Sea lion colonies
- Batavia shipwreck history
- Departs Geraldton
Shipwrecks & Wonders – Abrolhos Islands
From $2,999
per person
A themed Abrolhos Islands cruise focused on the extraordinary maritime history of the region, including the infamous 1629 Batavia shipwreck, coral reef snorkelling and island wildlife encounters.
- Batavia shipwreck site
- Maritime history focus
- Coral reef snorkelling
- Sea lion & seabird encounters
- Remote Abrolhos anchorages
WA Wine & Seafood – Abrolhos Islands
From $3,499
per person
A special themed Abrolhos Islands cruise celebrating Western Australia's finest wines and freshest seafood. Enjoy curated wine tastings, gourmet seafood meals and the spectacular scenery of the Abrolhos Islands.
- Curated WA wine tastings
- Gourmet fresh seafood
- Abrolhos Islands scenery
- Coral reef snorkelling
- Departs Geraldton
Pearls & Plates – Abrolhos Islands
From $3,499
per person
Explore the pearl farming history of the Abrolhos Islands alongside gourmet dining experiences celebrating the region's extraordinary seafood and produce.
- Pearl farming history
- Gourmet dining experiences
- Abrolhos Islands exploration
- Coral reef snorkelling
- Sea lion encounters
Ningaloo Coast Voyager
From $11,760
per person
Journey from Exmouth through the turquoise waters of the Ningaloo Coast before venturing north to the Mackerel Islands, Varanus Island and the untouched Montebello archipelago — an exclusive marine wilderness accessible only by sea.
- Ningaloo Reef snorkelling
- Whale shark swimming (in season)
- Mackerel & Montebello Islands
- Exmouth to Dampier one-way
- Up to 8 guests exclusively
South West Safari
From $11,760
per person
Explore the stunning coastline of Western Australia's South West aboard Eclipse — from Fremantle to Geraldton, taking in the Abrolhos Islands, remote beaches and the spectacular wildflower coast.
- Abrolhos Islands
- Remote South West beaches
- Wildflower season (Sep–Oct)
- Fremantle to Geraldton
- Up to 8 guests exclusively
10 Day West Coast Cruise
From $9,190
per person
Journey from Fremantle to Broome along the stunning Western Australian coastline, exploring the Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and the remote Pilbara coast.
- Abrolhos Islands
- Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
- Ningaloo Reef
- Pilbara coast
- Fremantle to Broome
27 Day Combined West Coast & Kimberley
From $19,990
per person
The most comprehensive Odyssey voyage — combining the full West Coast cruise from Fremantle with the Ultimate Kimberley Expedition, taking in the entire WA coastline from south to north.
- Full West Coast and Kimberley
- Abrolhos Islands & Ningaloo Reef
- Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
- Kimberley gorges & waterfalls
- Fremantle to Wyndham
WA Coast Cruise – Geraldton to Broome
From $15,595
per person
Journey from Geraldton to Broome, exploring the Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and the stunning Western Australian coastline aboard the purpose-built Reef Prince catamaran.
- Abrolhos Islands
- Shark Bay
- Ningaloo Reef
- Pilbara coastline
- Geraldton to Broome
10 Night West Coast Dream Fly/Cruise
From $19,500
per person
A unique fly/cruise combining the best of the West Coast — fly one way and cruise the other, taking in the Montebello Islands, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef and the Pilbara coastline.
- Montebello Islands
- Ningaloo Reef
- Coral Bay
- Pilbara coastline
- Fly one way, cruise the other