Bundegi Reef Snorkel
LOCATION Gulf of Exmouth, Western Australia
DEPTH 3-8 Meters
WATER TEMP 20-27 degrees
DIFFICULTY Advanced
The distance from shore and the need to cross the boating channel make this suitable for advanced snorkellers.
FEATURE
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Bundegi Reef Snorkel
LOCATION Gulf of Exmouth, Western Australia
DEPTH 3-8 Meters
WATER TEMP 20-27 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Advanced
The distance from shore and the need to cross the boating channel make this suitable for advanced snorkellers.
FEATURE
Bundegi Reef Snorkel
While the ocean side of the Exmouth Peninsula is the go to snorkelling location, for adventurous snorkellers the Exmouth Gulf off Bundegi Beach is also worth a look. There are spectacular gardens of plate coral to explore that have no less marine life than Ningaloo Lagoon. Bundegi Reef is also a good option if the weather has spoilt the conditions on the west side of Exmouth Peninsula.
What Can I See?
- Extensive plate corals and staghorn coral
- Fish
- Turtles
- Sharks
- Stingrays
- Octopus
- Dugongs are often seen between shore and the reef grazing on seagrass
- Occasional dolphins
- You may see humpback whales during winter out in the gulf
Getting There
Less than 15min north of Exmouth township, Bundegi Beach and boat ramp is the last turnoff before the restricted naval communication station. 2wd accessible.
Where & How do you get in?
The reef is closest to shore (250m) in line with the boat ramp but you might want to start up the beach a bit to avoid boat traffic. It then extends for another 200m.
It’s best to check the current and if moderate treat as a drift snorkel between the north end fish cleaning station and boat ramp.
Best Season
During summer temperatures average around 37 degrees so it is likely to be very hot from November – March. Temperatures are much more pleasant during the winter months of May – September with an average temperature of 24 degrees.
- Turtles all year round but nesting from November to March
- Whale Sharks – March – August
- Manta Rays all year round but very active from April to November
- Humpback Whales – June – October
Potential Hazards
- Boat Traffic – Use a dive flag if snorkelling through the boating channel
- It is a 200 – 500m swim to the reef so experienced which should only be done by experienced snorkellers
- Currents
- Fishing nearby
- Jellyfish
Parking
- There are multiple pathways to access the beach, and access to the water is straight off the shore.
Costs / Permits
Entry to Bundegi Coastal Park is free.
The information for each snorkel spot is provided by people who have snorkelled there. However, snorkelling conditions change daily. Please be aware that wind, swell, tides and cloud cover can all affect visibility and your experience in the water.
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Bundegi Beach Tours
Best Conditions
Bundegi is a popular beach and swimming location as it is on the opposite & sheltered side of the cape to the other local swimming spots. This means when the other side is experiencing high wind/ swell, Bundegi Beach is often well protected. Low wind is best for reduced chop on the surface and Bundegi Beach is best snorkelled after a period of low winds.
Windy Map Instructions – Click on the wind icon in the top right to see other conditions such as swell, temperature, rain. To clear the four day forecast click and close the wind icon.
Facilities at Bundegi Beach
There is a boat ramp at one end of Bundegi Beach, this can be snorkelled but be mindful of boat traffic and nearby fishermen.
Toilets
Picnic Tables
Parking
Shade
Boat Ramp
About the Snorkel
Bundegi Beach is a clean sandy beach and a beautiful spot to spend the day lazing in the sun. Occasionally rays and turtles can be viewed in the shallows along the beach, however the best snorkelling is located out by the main reef. In order to reach the reef you must swim 250-500m from shore and through a boating channel. The channel is approximately 8m deep and the reef is approximately 4m deep.
The better snorkelling is on the outer part of the reef so be prepared to swim/kayak closer to 500m than 250m. The extra effort will be worth it.
We headed out to the Bundegi Reef in a boat on a day when it was to windy to explore Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks etc on the western side of the peninsula. We weren’t quite sure what to expect here, but it ended up being an amazing snorkel.
The first surprise was the coral. There were big plate coral bommies to explore, and lots of overhangs to look under. They were spectacular to look at from above. There was also some healthy looking staghorn coral.
There were also plenty of fish to see. We spotted angelfish, small stingrays, anemone fish, lionfish, and lots of brightly coloured damsel fish darting in and out of the coral. Some big estuary cod cruised past and we saw several coral trout. There were schools of blue stripe snapper and silver drummer. Exmouth is known for local shark populations whilst we did not see any, reef and larger sharks can be sighted here.
While not the easiest reef to get to, we were really surprised how good the snorkelling was off Bundegi Beach. Experienced snorkellers could make the swim to the reef but do watch out for boat traffic crossing the channel.
There is also a kayak trail you can follow that runs south from the boat ramp that includes a couple of mooring points where you can access the reef. The first of the blue and white moorings is approx. 3.5km south of the boat ramp (head right after you launch), and is about 700m offshore. The second mooring is about 500m further south. If you have an anchor, the snorkelling 500m straight out from the boat ramp is excellent and easier to get to.
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