North West Cape

North West Cape is a large peninsula on the northwest coast of Western Australia forming the western edge of Exmouth Gulf. It fronts the western side of the Ningaloo Reef system and is a focal point for marine tourism on the Ningaloo Coast.

The area is known for close-to-shore coral reef snorkelling and diving on the Ningaloo Reef, which runs for about 260 km along the coast. Shore-based snorkelling, dive excursions and boat trips to see seasonal megafauna are common; the adjacent limestone ranges offer gorges, hiking and wildlife viewing.

European settlement and later coastal development created the service town at the cape tip, while conservation measures protect the reef and ranges. The peninsula combines marine tourism, a small urban service centre and protected parkland.

The cape sits on the Ningaloo coast of northwestern Western Australia, with the town of Exmouth located at the peninsula’s tip and serving as the main gateway. The coast faces the Indian Ocean and the reef lies immediately offshore.

• Ningaloo Reef length: Runs roughly 260 km and lies a short distance offshore, making shallow snorkelling accessible directly from many beaches.
• Whale shark season: Seasonal visits by whale sharks typically occur during late spring and winter months, making boat tours a common activity between May and September.

What to See #

• Ningaloo Reef: Runs for roughly 260 km along the coast and lies close offshore from the cape, providing one of the world's longest fringing coral reefs.
• Cape Range National Park: Protects rugged limestone ranges, karst gorges and coastal plains immediately inland from the cape and is a major area for hiking and wildlife viewing.
• Exmouth: Serves as the main service and access point to the cape, with boat operators and dive operators running trips to the reef from here.