Looking for the best snorkelling sites at Cape Range? Keep reading. We always loved Cape Range, so travelling there again (the previous trip was in April 2021) was not something unusual. This time we stayed at a different campground and found a new snorkelling spot in addition to our favourite ones.
Oyster Stacks – best snorkelling site at Cape Range #1
There are 3 most popular snorkelling sites in Cape Range National park. Oyster Stacks is one of them. It has always been our favourite. Firstly, the outside reef is only 300m from the shore, so there is a big concentration of corals and other marine life. Secondly, there is hardly any current, so it is quite safe for children and inexperienced swimmers when the water is calm. Thirdly, the corals start right from the beach. So long as you care careful when entering the water because of the sharp rocks, you are straight in a paradise. We must emphasise that you should snorkel only during medium or high tides to avoid damaging corals. The first part of the day is normally the best for snorkeling as there is often some wind in the afternoon.
Apart from the corals, Oyster Stacks beach is also known for its beautiful green crabs. This time we also saw a marine snail (I didn’t even know that such creatures exist!)
South Mandu – best snorkelling site at Cape Range #2
Shhhh… This is a secret spot. We found it was as good for snorkelling as the famous 3 sites in Cape Range National Park, however, it is not advertised anywhere (probably, due to proximity of the privately owned camping ground there). When we arrived in the morning, we had the beach all to ourselves!
The corals are very dense here, only a short distance away from the shore and those few meters before you reach the corals are just pure delight – sandy floor with turquoise clear water.
There is also a “therapeutic” corner, if you go to the right from the snorkelling site. Here there is a patch of red nicely water polished pebbles, which are very pleasant to hold. We spent a good half hour just sitting there – watching the waves and listening to the hissing sound of the water as it was drawn back while passing through the segregation of pebbles. It is an ideal place to de-stress and let any worries melt away. The only downside is 500m walk from the carpark. Although, if you are not into snorkelling, you can have some fun swimming and surfing on the beach right near the carpark.
Turquoise Bay – best snorkelling site at Cape Range #3
Turquoise Bay is the most popular snorkeling site in Cape Range National Park. The beach there is stunning with its white soft sand and turquoise waters. It has many times been ranked as one of Australia’s top beaches. With white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, amazing corals and other marine life it is an idyllic place. To see corals, park in Drift Snorkel Car Park. Then walk 100 meters or so south of the beach. Swim out and then let the current take you along as you enjoy snorkeling. Care must be taken to exist before the current pulls you out into the ocean (before the sand bar). For that reason, this place is not recommended for weak or inexperienced swimmers. At Oyster Stacks, you can see more colourful fishes and corals. At Turquoise Bay, you will find different types of corals. These corals are mostly large bombies and brain corals. Thus, you will see bigger fishes there.
When the tide comes in, claiming the beach, everyone is forced to move behind the fence 😊.
Lakeside – best snorkeling site at Cape Range #4
Lakeside is another great snorkeling site in Cape Range NP. It used to be a camping spot as well many years ago. But it got flooded at some point with the water from the creek. The car park has been moved further away and the campground has been closed. Now it is just a picnic area. To reach the snorkeling site, we had to walk 500 meters on the beach. The walk wasn’t really that bad at all. We had our lunch first, so we didn’t need to pull a trolley and carry lots of stuff with us. The corals at Lakeside are mostly big bombies that attract larger fishes. The beach there is very beautiful, even if you don’t snorkel.
Camping at Cape Range
Cape Range National Park is located within the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area. It is 70km from Exmouth. The park has a few basic campgrounds only meters away from the beach. In April 2021, we stayed at Tulki beach. Exactly a year later, we based ourselves at North Kurrajong. From there, we explored beautiful beaches. Then in Easter 2025 we went to Cape Range again. We stayed at Bungarra campground.
North Kurrajong campground
It is a relatively new campground. It was built an addition to Kurrajong which is a short distance away only steps away from the beach.
I was surprised that for a small campground (for 10 sites) there were 3 clean and nicely maintained non-flushing toilets.
There is also a large undercover picnic area with a few tables. Overlooking the beach there is a smaller but very popular sunset view undercover table. From there we watched the sun going down over the ocean every night.
The campground is accessible via a 2WD short drive from Yardie Creek Road. For $11 per person per night (children are $3 each), it is a great value for a prime location. (Note this price was in 2021. It has gone up to $15 per person.) We had very sweet memories of camping at Cape Range. This is not to mention amazing corals and fishes we have seen. Check the pictures here.
Watching sunrise, sunset and moon
When we camp in the bush, we don’t mind getting up early to see how the sun greets the day and sends the first rays of light into the sky before it is even visible above the horizon.
When the sun is rising above the ranges in Cape Range National Park, the opposite side – the beach – is still in its “blue hour” colour. It is quiet and peaceful – a perfect opportunity to spot something interesting.
The magical golden hour.
Looking at the moon and taking pictures of it can be quite fascinating….
And when the sun goes down, it is a great opportunity to try your luck fishing from the beach. North Kurrajong is a recreational zone, so fishing is allowed there.
While the boys are fishing, I am taking pictures of the night sky.
How massive these termite nests are! On the way from Exmouth along Minilya Exmouth Road.
Bungarra campground
Bungarra is the smallest campground in the park with only 5 reverse-in camping spots. Facilities include non-flushing toilet and rubbish bins.
The campground is 600 meters walk to the beach. The beach is mostly rocky and not the best one for swimming. But it is a good place for beach fishing.
The nearby Osprey Bay campground is 10 minutes walk away and is excellent for swimming. We spent 4 nights at Bungarra campground in April 2025, enjoying the basic bush camping with gorgeous sunsets. The camping fees for the campground are $15 per adult per night, $5 per child. This is in addition to national park entry fee for this first night. Dogs and campfires are not permitted.
What could be better than these views?
Here is a short reel about Bungarra campground on youtube.
Other attractions in Cape Range NP
Pilgramunna
Pilgramunna is one of the less popular beaches in Cape Range National Park. The creek joins the beach. Depending on the conditions, you might be able to pass through. If not, park before the creek. As it was quite shallow when we visited this place in April, we drove through the creek.
We found quite a picturesque beach with rocky outline making it look pretty. There were sandy patches further along the beach. It is considered a snorkeling place although we didn’t snorkel there. Kids were playing with little stones while we surveyed the area.
It looked lovely from the bird’s eye view, and we saw a few large bombies further away from the beach. A few vehicles came to launch a boat. It might be a good fishing place too.
Check out a short reel about Pilgramunna here.
Bloodwood Creek
Bloodwood Creek is a scenic lookout in Cape Range National Park, along Australia’s Coral Coast.
Yardie Creek
Yardie Creek is at the southern end of Cape Range National Park. It is a popular place for a picnic, swimming in the creek, hiking, as well as boat tours. There is also a campground there. Those who love nature and hiking will enjoy walking along the creek. The nature walk is short and sweet. If you want to challenge yourself, continue further along the creek into the gorge.
With the temperatures being in high 30s in April, day time hiking was not the best. We came back to Yardie Creek just before the sunset and it was perfect timing. The sunset was sensational.
I also had a chance to see threatened black-flanked rock wallabies that only come out at dusk. Initially I didn’t take a camera with me and the photos on the phone were not the best quality. I took a chance to go back to the vehicle to fetch a camera with zoom lens. Were the wallabies still there? Yes, they were!
Do you want to see how they jump? Click here.
Are you ready to look at the corals and fishes now?
Snorkeling at Oyster Stacks (above). Here is reel about it.
thank you. We really appreciate your posts. We also love the Ningaloo coastline. Stayed at North Lefroy last year as it was the only area would could secure a booking. That was my question. How did you find the booking system. Was it hard to get in and did you plan it long in advance? Thanks for your feedback… lovely photos too btw.
kind regads,
Meta
Thanks for your comments. Yes, we did plan the trip well in advance. We are finding it harder and harder to get a booking in Ningaloo with each passing year. We had to jump onto the system the moment it opened 180 days in advance. Even then, we couldn’t get the choices we wanted and Bungarra was what was left. It is the same for Ningaloo reserves too. We stayed at Point Billie (we’ll write about it in the next post) only because it was the only one available. The booking system is very frustrating. It also seems that a lot more people go camping these days, which pushes the prices up and drives availability down.