Turquoise Bay, Exmouth | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
EXMOUTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIA
A white-sand morning at
Turquoise Bay.
Follow the cape road to a reef lagoon, with a picnic and time to read the water.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Cape Range meets
the Ningaloo lagoon.
Turquoise Bay is a white-sand shore on the west side of North West Cape, about 60 km by road from Exmouth.
Bring a picnic, arrive before the midday heat and give yourself time to read the conditions before choosing a swim. The two signed access loops serve the same bay.
ON THE WORLD MAP
On Australia’s North West Cape.
Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia
01 / GETTING THERE
Start at Learmonth.
The park approach
Late light along Yardie Creek Road in Cape Range National Park.
Photo: Ben Cordia · CC BY-SA 4.0Get around North West Cape
Fill up in Exmouth and follow Yardie Creek Road into Cape Range. Check current park and road alerts before driving. Leave wildlife room and use the marked parking bays.
On the beach
There is no lifeguard patrol. Strong currents can run toward the reef gaps. Read the local signs and stay ashore if you are unsure of the conditions. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A protected reef shore with basic toilets and no beachside shops or rentals.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Take Yardie Creek Road
Allow roughly an hour from Exmouth. Follow the signs to the Bay Loop or Drift Loop car park. Standard vehicle entry is AUD 17 unless covered by a park pass. Arrive early during school holidays.
Cape Range park entry fees ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
A short approach from the car park
Designated parking and a hardened path serve parts of the day-use area. The final stretch is soft sand. Check the park’s accessibility details if you need a firm route all the way.
03 / THE SAND
Fine white sand
The open strip is pale and fine, with reef habitat beyond the waterline. Wear sandals on hot sand and keep feet and fins clear of living coral.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Pack a picnic
There is no beach shop or drinking-water refill. Buy supplies in Exmouth and bring enough water for the beach and the return drive.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring your own shade
There are no chair or umbrella rentals. Natural shade is limited. Pack a low shade shelter that you can secure in wind.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Toilets at the day-use area
The park lists accessible unisex toilets. Plan to rinse and change back at your accommodation. There is no lifeguard patrol.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Turquoise Bay.
Where the reef meets the coast
A regional view of the Ningaloo coast. At Turquoise Bay, use the signs on the beach to assess conditions.
Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.001 / ARRIVE
Read the shore signs
Pause at the car park and look at the water from land before getting ready.
02 / SWIM
Choose a conservative entry
If the lagoon is calm and the signs permit it, stay well inside sheltered water with a buddy.
03 / REEF CARE
Keep clear of coral
Float over the reef, avoid standing on coral and take nothing from the sanctuary.
04 / RETURN
Save time for the drive
Pack your rubbish and head back before dark, when wildlife is harder to see.
Start early, read the shore signs and decide whether to stay on the sand. If conditions are rough or the park road is restricted, visit the Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four shore stops along the cape.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Driving distances and access can differ.
Lakeside
A quieter sandy shore in a marine sanctuary. The final approach is on foot.
- Best for
- A shore walk and calm-water observation
- Facilities
- Parking and basic day-use facilities near the discovery centre. Carry water.
- Good to know
- Read signs and keep clear of currents and reef.
Oyster Stacks
A rocky reef-edge entry beside small limestone outcrops.
- Best for
- Reef viewing from shore
- Facilities
- Parking and a lookout. Bring your own supplies.
- Good to know
- The park recommends snorkelling here only when the tide is high enough. Check its guidance first.
Sandy Bay
An open sandy sweep backed by low dunes.
- Best for
- A shore walk and picnic
- Facilities
- Day-use parking and toilets. Pack drinking water.
- Good to know
- Wind and water conditions vary. Use only signed access.
Jansz Beach
An exposed north-cape shore with dunes and an offshore reef.
- Best for
- A walk and coastline views
- Facilities
- No toilets. Bring supplies and take rubbish out.
- Good to know
- Avoid artificial light during turtle nesting and follow the park’s turtle-watching code.
Distances are straight-line from Turquoise Bay. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three stops away from the sand.
01 / SOUTHERN CAPE RANGE
Yardie Creek
Look for the gorge’s red cliffs from the short walk near the creek. Check closures before committing to a longer walk.
Explore Parks WA visitor information ↗02 / EXMOUTH
Ningaloo Centre
Spend a hot or windy afternoon at the town’s visitor centre and interpretive displays.
Ningaloo Centre information ↗03 / NORTH WEST CAPE
Milyering Discovery Centre
Stop here for ranger advice, maps and an introduction to the marine park.
Discovery centre visitor details ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Turquoise Bay and Cape Range.
The pin marks the Turquoise Bay day-use area on the west side of the cape. Exmouth is on the other side of the peninsula.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
From gorge walls to the lighthouse.
Explore the cape in the cooler parts of the day and check access before driving.
Yardie Creek Gorge
Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park.
Photo: Joshua Tagicakibau · CC BY-SA 4.0
Charles Knife Canyon
Charles Knife Canyon in Cape Range National Park.
Photo: Joshua Tagicakibau · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse on North West Cape.
Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mandu Mandu
Mandu Mandu walking trail in Cape Range National Park.
Photo: Gfievet · CC BY-SA 4.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
YARDIE CREEK ROAD
Yardie Homestead
$ Budget · about AUD 43–52 per night for sampled campsites
A west-cape caravan park near the park entrance. The examples are nightly equivalents for a week-long site quote.
Yardie Homestead official site ↗NORTH MURAT ROAD
Potshot Backpackers
$ Budget · AUD 45 per person per night for a dorm bed
A shared-room base in Exmouth with an en suite in each six-bed dorm. Drive about an hour to the bay.
Potshot Backpackers official site ↗LEARMONTH STREET
Ningaloo Lodge
$$ Mid-Range · from AUD 270 per night for a double room
A small town lodge with air-conditioned doubles. Set out west for a full day at the bay.
Ningaloo Lodge official site ↗SOUTH MURAT ROAD
Exmouth Escape Resort
$$ Mid-Range · AUD 405 per night for a sample direct villa rate
Self-contained apartments and villas near the southern town approach. Use the direct booking calendar for current rates.
Exmouth Escape Resort official site ↗CORAL BAY TOWNSHIP
Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview Villas
$$$ Upscale · about AUD 670–775 per villa per night in the published starting bands
Self-contained two- and three-bedroom villas for a wider Ningaloo trip. Allow about two and a half hours each way to Turquoise Bay.
Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview Villas official site ↗CAPE RANGE DUNES
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
$$$$ Luxury · about AUD 1,100–1,580 per night as advertised starting prices
Seasonal safari-tent stays with meals and guided activities. Check reopening dates and the camp’s minimum age before booking.
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Winter generally has milder daytime temperatures than summer. In the hotter months, check for cyclone or road alerts and carry all your water. Turquoise Bay is unpatrolled. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Exmouth Gulf seafood
Exmouth Gulf fishery history sign beside the Big Prawn.
Photo: Aliceinthealice · CC BY 4.0What to order
Look for Exmouth tiger prawns and local snapper when they are listed. Pick up something portable in town before driving west to the park.
Local habits
Bring dry clothes for restaurants, check kitchen hours and reserve early for a weekend dinner.
A LITTLE AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Takeaway, please
- Ask for food to go.
- Where are the toilets?
- Ask for the nearest restrooms.
- How’s the swell?
- Ask about the ocean conditions.
- Can we book a table?
- Ask to reserve a restaurant table.
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
MAIDSTONE CRESCENT
Bamboo Cafe
$ Budget · about AUD 10–21 per person
Pick up a sushi roll, karaage or a rice bowl before driving out to the park.
Bamboo Cafe official site ↗PELLEW STREET
Mutts Café
$ Budget · about AUD 14–24 per person at breakfast
Choose a toastie or breakfast burger and check when the kitchen switches to lunch.
Mutts Café official site ↗CARAVAN RESORT PRECINCT
The BBQ Father
$$ Mid-Range · about AUD 25–41 per person for a main
A wood-fired Italian kitchen for pizza or a takeaway dinner. Check the daily opening hours.
The BBQ Father official site ↗PATTERSON WAY
Whalebone Brewing Co.
$$ Mid-Range · about AUD 26–29 per large pizza
A family-friendly outdoor spot with pizza and an early kitchen close. Check the venue’s current menu.
Whalebone Brewing Co. official site ↗THEW STREET
Exhale Exmouth
$$$ Upscale · about AUD 55–80 per person for two share plates
Order snapper tostadas, chargrilled prawns or local bugs for the table. Book for dinner.
Exhale Exmouth official site ↗SOUTH EXMOUTH RESORT PRECINCT
Whalers Restaurant
$$$$ Luxury · about AUD 93–110 per person for the seafood medley and optional extra
Share the seafood medley for two, or order the local snapper. Reserve ahead for an evening table.
Whalers Restaurant official site ↗08 / WESTERN AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Potshot Hotel pool bar
An informal early-evening stop beside the pool. Check food service and visitor hours. Potshot food and drinks ↗
Exmouth Yacht Club
Look out over the gulf from the clubhouse. Check the current visitor policy and opening schedule. Exmouth Yacht Club ↗
Froth Craft Brewery
A casual brewpub with an outdoor garden and a stage for live music. Check the Exmouth venue page for what is on. Exmouth brewery visitor information ↗
Choose a venue near your accommodation or arrange a lift in advance. Allow extra time if you are staying outside town.
09 / NINGALOO EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Ningaloo Sky Festival
Look for the biennial winter festival in Exmouth. The program brings together night-sky events, music and food. Check the organiser for the next edition.
Ningaloo Sky Festival official site ↗GAMEX
The Exmouth Game Fishing Club’s autumn tournament brings offshore competition and shore-side events. Check the club’s schedule for public activities.
GAMEX ↗Currency / Australian dollar
The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Carry a card and some cash, and stock up in Exmouth before heading into the park.
Tourism Australia travel information ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for sun, sand and a reef lagoon.
THE TURQUOISE BAY KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Stone Pebble bikini with a loose shirt, wide-brimmed hat and a bag that closes against sand.
For the park paths
Pack grippy shoes, extra water and a light layer for the drive back.
In town
A dry shirt and shorts work for a casual dinner in Exmouth.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Fly into Learmonth Airport (LEA) and continue to Exmouth for supplies and onward transport.
Is it good for swimming?
Only when conditions suit your ability. The beach is unpatrolled, currents can be strong and posted instructions should guide your decision.
Is the beach step-free?
There is accessible parking and a hardened path in parts of the day-use area, followed by soft sand. Check the park’s access page before your visit.
Do I need a park pass?
A vehicle entry fee applies in Cape Range unless you already hold a valid pass. Check the current fee before driving in.
Can I buy food or water there?
Bring both from Exmouth. There are no shops at the beach.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Stone tones for a reef day.
A high-waisted bikini with a stone-pebble print.
Explore the Stone Pebble bikini ↗
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