Tantabiddi North Reef Snorkel
LOCATION The Lagoon, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Western Australia
DEPTH 5-10 Meters
WATER TEMP 20-29 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Advanced
The depth, accessibility, open ocean, swell and surge make this an advanced level snorkel.
FEATURE
Google Map data © 2024 Imagery © Airbus, CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies
Tantabiddi North Reef Snorkel
LOCATION The Lagoon, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Western Australia
DEPTH 5-10 Meters
WATER TEMP 20-29 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Advanced
The depth, accessibility, open ocean, swell and surge make this an advanced level snorkel.
FEATURE
Tantabiddi North Reef Snorkel
Located within the rich marine environment of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, the back of the reef boasts impressive hard coral formations, diverse fish populations including convict tang and fusiliers, and a vibrant array of echinoderms and nudibranchs. Snorkellers may also encounter turtles, reef sharks, manta rays and during winter, witness migrating humpback whales following the back of the reef.
What Can I See?
- Diverse array of corals and coral structure
- Nudibranchs, echinoderms, crustaceans
- Turtles
- Manta Rays
- Sharks
- Fish
- Octopus
- Whales
Getting There
Accessed by boat, the site is located at a break in North reef 4.5 nautical miles North of Tantabiddi Boat ramp. It can be seen on plotters and google maps and visually as a change in colour and lack of breaking waves over the shallow reef. Head out the channel and turn north up the outside of the reef, approx 3/4 the way up you will reach the site.
All along the back of north reef is stunning however I personally recommended the north edge of this break in the reef for its coral structure and topography as well as the fish life.
It’s possible to kayak 2km WNW off shore from the last dirt beach access north of Yardie Creek Homestead but you would need glass out conditions.
Where & How do you get in?
Live drop from the boat is recommended in approx 10m of water and swimming in towards the reef. This will vary depending on conditions: wind, swell and surge. Coral and rocky bottom extend past 15m deep with only pockets of sandy bottom which could make anchoring challenging or not possible.
Best Season
Tantabiddi North Reef can be snorkelled all year around.
Autumn is typically warm water and warm daytime temperatures great for boating a swimming. Be aware of stingers this time of year and be fully covered. Winter will see a greater chance of swiming with Mantarays.
During summer temperatures average around 37 degrees so it is likely to be very hot from November – February. 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
- Turtle Hatching – January – March
Potential Hazards
- Rips
- Currents
- Jellyfish / Marine Life
Recommended Gear
- Boats appropriate to access this site can be hired from Exmouth township if you don’t have your own
Parking
- Parking is available at Tantabiddi Boat Ramp
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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Best Conditions
Low off shore wind is preferred, calm days are necessary for back of the reef snorkels. Be aware of swell, as waves and surge can make accessing shallower than 5m depth impossible.
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 Tantabiddi Boat Ramp
Toilets
Parking
Boat Ramp
About the Snorkel
The site features a stunning array of hard coral formations, including valleys, swim-throughs, and bommies. The reef is teeming with fish life, with large schools of convict tang and fusiliers are spotted weaving in and out of the corals. We were fortunate to observe an octopus emerging from a coral bommie, appearing quite comfortable with our presence.
The seafloor is richly covered with diverse corals, while echinoderms and nudibranchs are scattered throughout the area. Turtles and reef sharks are regularly seen swiming through the area.
One of the highlights of our snorkel was swimming alongside several manta rays that were feeding along the back of the reef. Witnessing their graceful movements and interactions was a truly memorable experience.
During winter, the humpback whales migrate through the area and are frequently seen from boats close to the reef. Please exercise caution when boating, and remember that swimming with marine mammals is illegal in Western Australia.
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