Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort or Exmouth Escape Resort: What is the best Ningaloo accommodation?
Unless you want to go camping along the reef itself, the best Ningaloo Reef accommodation is in Exmouth. The best quality options are the Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort and Exmouth Escape Resort.
If you want accommodation next to the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, you’ve got one option: camping. It’s fairly rough-and-ready camping, too, as they’re part of the Western Australian national parks campsites collection.
These are about getting close to nature, not luxury. There is luxury camping along the Ningaloo Coast at Sal Salis, but this is ultra-expensive.
8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.
- Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
- Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
- Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
- Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
- Cape Range trekking adventure.
- Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
- Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
- Kayak and snorkel with turtles.
Ningaloo Reef accommodation
If you do want hotel quality accommodation near the Ningaloo Reef, you’re going to have to stay in hub town Exmouth, which is on the other side of the North West Cape.
There are two four star resorts in Exmouth – the Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort and Exmouth Escape Resort.
Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort in Exmouth, WA
The Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort is on Sunrise Beach, next to Exmouth Marina. It’s not conveniently located for mooching around the town – the marina is about 5km to the south. But then again, Exmouth is not exactly the sort of town you can get excited about mooching around.
Accommodation at the Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort is either apartment or bungalow-style. There’s a contemporary style, with colour schemes evoking the sky and ocean. The bungalows have private spa baths too.
There’s also a pool and restaurant. Apartments at the Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Resort cost from $321 a night. Bookings can be made via the resort website.
Exmouth Escape Resort in Exmouth, WA
The Exmouth Escape Resort isn’t quite as swish, but is closer to town. This Ningaloo Reef hotel offer apartments and villas, while the Whalers Restaurant is regarded as one of the best in Exmouth. There are also two pools – one for adults, one for kids.
The Exmouth Escape Resort costs from $224 per night, and can be booked online.
Ningaloo Reef activities
The drive from Perth to Exmouth is 1,250km long and takes around 13 hours. Once there, you can swim with whale sharks, snorkel with humpback whales or take a Ningaloo Reef kayaking tour.
Best Exmouth accommodation choices
- For infinity pool resort luxury: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort.
- For central location: Ningaloo Lodge.
- For apartments with pool and landscaped gardens: Exmouth Escape Resort.
- For families: RACV Exmouth Cape Holiday Park.
More things to do in Western Australia
Bar and restaurant hop in Maylands, Perth.
Tackle the wild waves of the Injidup Natural Spa in Yallingup.
Go fishing in the King River near Wyndham in the Kimberley.
Stay in a gardens-surrounded apartment at Seashells Yallingup.
The best things to do in Norseman, Western Australia.