Coral Coast

Little ones will delight at the antics of the famous dolphins who visit the Monkey Mia foreshore three times daily. If they’re lucky enough they might even get the opportunity to feed them.

Coral Bay is also ideal for younger kids, its gentle waters perfect for paddling. Adventurous little ones who are too young to snorkel but are eager to see some of the area’s marvellous marine life and coral without getting wet, can do so on a glass bottom kayak along the reef with their parents. 

Geraldton is another fantastic spot for little travelers. With its great sandy beaches and the gorgeous Ellendale Pool, a calm natural water hole located along the picturesque Greenough River, there are plenty of spots to paddle or play in the sand.  There is also a fantastic shaded playground and water park on the Geraldton Foreshore with fountains, swings, slides, and climbing frames suitable for preschoolers.

Wildlife lovers are in for a treat at Monkey Mia. The local bottlenose dolphins attract thousands of visitors to Western Australia’s Shark Bay World Heritage Area every year. Famous for their daily ritual of swimming to shore to interact with humans and be fed their daily ration of fish, around four or five of the wild dolphins generally visit the shore three times a day. We suggest attending the later sessions as it’s generally less crowded and the kids are more likely to get the opportunity to interact with the dolphins. The Bay is also home to turtles, migrating whales and dugongs which you might be lucky enough to spot on a cruise or glass glass-bottom boat ride.

Younger kids will also love exploring nearby Shell Beach, which is made up of millions of little coquina shells, which have also been used to make the houses in nearby Denham.

Coral Bay is a large protected bay with loads of facilities and activities for the kids that range from mild to wild.  The biggest drawcard of the area is Ningaloo Reef and its incredible marine life. Adventurous kids can even jump in to swim with the graceful Manta Rays that live in and around the reef as well as majestic whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world, from March to mid-September. Kids aged eight and over can also try the PADI Bubble Makers Program to learn how to use scuba diving equipment made especially for children and see some of the incredible sights under the sea.

Another great spot for kids is Hamelin Bay – located between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. The main attraction at Hamelin Pool is its remarkable stromatolites, rock-like structures built by microbes that are the oldest and largest living fossils on earth, which can be viewed from a safe boardwalk.

Adventurous teens will be unable to resist the thrill of four-wheel-driving or sandboarding at Lancelin where you will find Western Australia’s largest sand dunes. The area is also renowned for its waves and wind, so is the perfect spot to hone your windsurfing skills or take a lesson.  

Gerladton is equally popular for windsurfing with idyllic conditions. The region’s pristine waters are also home to an excellent variety of surf breaks that will suit everyone from the experienced surfer to beginners in search of lessons from the pros.

Kalbarri National Park is another hot spot for active teens, with loads of different ways to explore, whether that be trekking through the expansive natural wonderland by camel or horseback. Those who prefer to explore minus the four-legged transport can even give quad biking, kayaking, canyoning or abseiling with experienced guides a whirl.