Editing Perth (section)

=== Ningaloo Reef ===

This place is truly an oasis of sheer natural beauty. The reef runs along the WA coast from just south of Coral Bay to just north of Exmouth. It is the world's largest fringing reef and hosts an astonishing array of beautiful reef fish, turtles, coral and the real showpieces; Manta rays, Humpback whales and Whale Sharks. 
 
Now "What the hell is a fringing reef?" I hear you asking... Essentially this means the reef is just off the beach, rather than being an hour away on a boat like all the Great Barrier Reef. So you can get goggles, snorkel and flippers and swim 5m out from the beach and you really are on the reef itself. Paradise. Every day you can just pick a different spot along the beach and swim out, always something new.
 
So what's the point of all those tours then? Essentially they will take you to particularly nice spots along the coastline to see it. You can do that in a 4WD, on a quad bike (heaps of fun) or on a number of different boats. From a cruising catamaran to the glass bottomed variety, it's all there. 
 
Since there is always a need for workers, you can get deals to work in exchange for cheap accommodation and money. Meet other locals in the bar and see what other cool spots they can tell you about or take you to.
 
Do not miss the opportunity to swim with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. Both of them are harmless to humans (the ray has no sting and the shark eats plankton). No words or video can describe the beauty of these creatures moving in the water right next to you. Both these tours require a boat and a spotter plane to take you to them, so they're not cheap. Thus the question you have to ask yourself is, "Am I really going to be happy to be this close and NOT do this thing?" It's only money and you don’t get a second life.
For the location overview and more information, go here: 
http://www.ningalooreef.net/exmouth/ningalooreef.html