totaling 34% of the total area: all with outstanding natural features and attractions. On past trips we have been amazed at the aquatic and bird life, including turtles, dugongs, humpback whales, rays, fish galore, dolphins, ospreys, huge sea eagles, pelicans etc. Cape Range National Park borders a section of Ningaloo Reef and is managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Wildlife abounds throughout the park and Cape Range provides bush walking opportunities as well as great views. Seakayaking and Snorkeling: The snorkeling we offer from the sea kayaks is phenomenal. Inside the reef it is rarely more than 4 meters deep - perfect for even novice snorkelers. Snorkeling options: walk off the beach, anchor the kayaks and jump over the side (getting back in is not a problem - it’s just not graceful), and sometimes we just drift snorkel with the current, kayaks in tow. Please note: we have discovered some excellent “un-named” snorkel spots and they are accessible only by kayak. Trip Itinerary: Day 1: Meet at our base in Exmouth around 8 am. We can park cars at our shed – limited space inside. We do free pick ups from your accommodation as requested. Pack and sort gear, buy last minute items from shops eg. ice, sunblock. Drive around into Cape Range National Park, have morning tea. Set up our base camp in the Park before driving to the southern end of the Park have lunch, and get our kayaking/snorkeling gear sorted. Our usual launching spot is Yardie Creek. Kayak/safety skills briefing, then kayak north, to our base camp. Relax, prepare and cook dinner, enjoy new company and the fabulous desert night sky stars, stars, stars! Day 2: Rise by 7am. Breakfast, prepare and pack lunch, and head off past Osprey Bay, Sandy Bay to Mandu Mandu via 2 fantastic snorkeling spots including Pilgrammuna and maybe Blue Lagoon. Enjoy our delicious morning tea and lunch on the beach. We drive back to camp for a snack, drink and relax, maybe watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean from atop a sand dune with chilled wine in hand. Day 3: Rise by 7am. Breakfast, prepare and pack lunch, and head back to Mandu Mandu, before starting kayaking north again. Snorkel the magnificent Oyster Stacks and Turquoise Bay. More yummy beach side food and drinks throughout the day, and have a relaxing late afternoon. Another evening feast is prepared and enjoyed. Day 4: Today is our options day. More snorkeling, a short kayak, a visit to the Milyering Visitors Center – managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation is a popular option. It has educational displays, and marine environmental resource materials, videos on the whale sharks etc. We’ll often enjoy a late afternoon gorge walk, viewing the rare black footed rock wallaby in Yardie Creek or walk Mandu Mandu Gorge before heading back to camp. Day 5: After breakfast we usually pack up our tents and personal gear before heading off to kayak our last stretch, Lakeside Bombies are a regular highlight maybe paddle around the amazing Mangrove Bay – so full of marine life, and finish after lunch. We complete the pack up of our base camp, home for the last few days and then drive back to Exmouth, usually arriving around 3pm. We drop you off at your accommodation. We run tours from April to early October, when we generally have light to moderate winds, with day temperatures between 20-32 C. Ningaloo has mild warm winters although cooler night breezes from the desert can make nights cold once the sun goes down (6-10 C) from May to September. The summers (November to February) are warm to hot, dry and windy with occasional cyclones (hurricanes), generally not the best sea kayaking conditions. Water temperatures mean we only need to wear wet suits snorkeling in June, July, August, and September – unless you are a softie! It can rain at any time of year, but is an arid area. Notes:
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