Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Apr–Jul · Mild current · 22–29°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
- Current
- Mild
- Water temperature
- 22–29°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
- Visibility
- 10–30m: Broad local planning range.
- Experience
- Many reef sites suit Open Water divers.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | occasional |
| April | peak season |
| May | peak season |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | occasional |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
The aggregation supports licensed snorkel tours.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | not seen |
| February | not seen |
| March | not seen |
| April | not seen |
| May | not seen |
| June | rare |
| July | occasional |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | occasional |
| November | rare |
| December | not seen |
Migration and licensed swim activity peak in the cooler half of the year; underwater sightings on scuba remain opportunistic.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Possible year-round near Coral Bay; no guaranteed monthly peak is coded.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Possible throughout the operating year; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.
See all 8 species
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Coral Bay Outer Reef
Coral Bay Outer Reef: Manta cleaning and feeding habitat.
6–25m · Mild current
Exmouth Navy Pier
Access depends on authorised operator arrangements; it is not an independent shore dive.
5–15m · Mild current
Lighthouse Bay
Lighthouse Bay: Coral gardens and channels.
5–25m · Mild current
See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsEasy. Fly to LEA. Typical trip $–$$.
Route overview
Easy
Day trips from a coastal base, about 0.5h from the airport, then a short boat.
Airport options
LEA
Learmonth Airport
About 30–40 minutes by road to Exmouth; longer to Coral Bay
Typical trip cost
$–$$
under $2,000 to $2,000–4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Two-dive scuba days are commonly around AUD 250–400.
- Whale-shark swim days often cost more and should not be counted as scuba dives; accommodation in peak months can dominate the budget.