If you’re looking for an up-close-and-personal encounter with unique ocean fauna, you're in luck, because here in Australia the best is in our backyard!
From Queensland to Hobart, Darwin to Perth and everywhere in between, we’re lucky to enjoy clean, crystal clear seas populated by abundant marine life. Many of our cities and their coastlines house a reef, a marine park or both, which means it’s easy to spot the creatures that live there. It’s also easy to swim alongside them!
What’s not so easy is deciding which coast to explore on your next holiday. We’ve come up with a list of the top three places to swim with sea creatures in Australia, listed in no particular order as there’s no way we could rank them!
1. Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 2,900 individual reefs housing over 1,700 species of fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, rays and turtles. Whether it’s sea turtles off Hamilton Island, minke whales off Lizard Island, manta rays off Lady Elliot Island or reef sharks off Heron Island, there’s bound to be an island for you.
If you’re not sure which island is the island for you, talk to your local Travellers Choice agent who can help you narrow it down. From seaside resorts to secluded eco-retreats or a private catamaran charter, we’ll book a trip you’ll remember forever.
2. Western Australia’s Coral Coast
Stretching over 1,000 kilometres from Perth to Exmouth, WA’s Coral Coast is home to the world’s biggest fringing coral reef (in fact, it’s visible from space). The Ningaloo Reef is World Heritage-listed and is home to plenty of dolphins, manta rays and whale sharks. Monkey Mia is particularly famed for dolphin swimming opportunities, whereas Coral Bay is known for resident giant manta rays. If whale sharks are what you’re after, Exmouth is the place to be.
However, if you’re passionate about marine life, it’s easy to see all of them. Have all your accommodation, transportation and sealife sightseeing taken care of on an escorted tour, or ask us about putting together the road trip of a lifetime from Perth to Exmouth and back again, replete with luxury hotels, glamping opportunities and unforgettable adventures in between.
3. South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula
Wild bottlenose dolphins and friendly sea lions abound in the beautiful Eyre Peninsula, but you’re most likely to spot them at Port Lincoln. Port Lincoln also happens to be the only place in Australia where you can ‘enjoy’ a day of shark cage diving if that’s what you’re interested in!
If you’re hungry after your marine adventure, you’re in luck. The Eyre Peninsula is quickly earning a name as a unique culinary experience destination. With Port Lincoln just an hour-long flight from Adelaide, you’ll be able to enjoy the very best wineries of the Barossa Valley when your oceanic odyssey comes to an end!
Whether you’re looking to explore your own backyard or planning an interstate trip, take advantage of the priceless expertise that comes from booking with a trusted and independent Travellers Choice agent.
