The Best Exmouth Travel Guide by a Local 2024
Kaya, hello. I’m Wendy, a Perth resident who has visited Exmouth numerous times with my family. In my guide, I provide plenty of useful information and tips to make the most out of your trip to this Coral Coast town.
Exmouth Location
Exmouth is on Western Australia’s Coral Coast, part of the Pilbara Region, with the Ningaloo Coral Reef offshore.
Perth to Exmouth is about 1,250 km.
How to get to Exmouth WA
Flights to Exmouth Airport
Qantas operates flights to Exmouth’s Learmonth airport, with a flight time of two hours. The airport is approximately 36 km south of Exmouth.
Exmouth Bus Charters operate a shuttle service from the airport to Exmouth town. Prices as of January 2024 are:
A$45/Adult (or A$80 return), A$35/Pensioner, A$30/Child (15 and under)
Family rate one way (2 Adults and up to 3 Children = A$120)
Exmouth Car Hire
Several rental car companies operate booths in the airport terminal, with most being staffed during scheduled flight arrival periods.
Perth to Exmouth Road Trip
The drive time from Perth to Exmouth is around 12 hours, not counting any stops along the way. Consider breaking up your journey with an overnight stop in Kalbarri or Northampton.
Or, take your time and enjoy the stunning places along the way. Read this Perth to Exmouth Road Trip guide for ideas on where to stop and what to do there.
Exmouth to Coral Bay
Exmouth town to Coral Bay is around 150 km and will take about two hours.
Some people take day trips from Coral Bay to Exmouth (and vice-versa), but that’s a 300 km return journey to the town. If you want to do the drift snorkel in Turquoise Bay, the return trip will be 430 km return!
What is the Best Time to Visit Exmouth WA?
The best time to visit Exmouth is from autumn to late spring (March to October). This is also the most popular time and when accommodation prices are highest.
Summer temperatures are hot, with a tropical cyclone risk, so it’s an unpopular time to visit.
Rainfall is highest in June, followed by May, March, and February. September to November are the driest months.
Exmouth’s coldest month is July at 24 °C, with the hottest being January when the temperature averages 38°C.
The Indian Ocean is warmest in March when it reaches 29°C and then decreases to 21/22 in August.
You can see the Exmouth weather 7-day forecast on the Bureau of Meteorology.
How many days do you need in Exmouth?
Spend at least five days in Exmouth, but seven days allows you to experience most of the activities it has to offer. Or, you can split your time between Coral Bay and Exmouth, like we did.
Exmouth Accommodation
Exmouth offers a range of accommodation, including resorts, private rentals, motel-style rooms and camping sites.
Here is my pick of the accommodation in Exmouth WA:
| Hotel | Stars | Rating | Price | Pool | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exmouth Escape Resort | 4.5 | 8.7 | $$$ | Y | Book here |
| Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort | 4.5 | 8.6 | $$$ | Y | Book here |
| Bullara Station Stay | – | 5/5 | $ | Book here | |
| Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef | 4.5 | 9.4 | $$$ | Book here | |
| Ningaloo Lodge | 3.5 | 7.8 | $ | Y | Book here |
| RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park | 4.0 | 7.8 | $ | Y | Book here |
| Madafarri Drive private properties | – | $$$ | Book here | ||
| Corella Court private properties | – | $$$ | Book here | ||
| Kestral Place private properties | – | $$$ | Book here | ||
| Potshot Hotel Resort | 3 | 6.7 | $ | Y | Book Here |
For a detailed breakdown, see this guide on the best accommodation in Exmouth.
TIP: Peak season in Exmouth (usually March to November) will see Exmouth accommodation at capacity and you will find most accommodation is booked up at least a year in advance, especially during school holidays. Therefore, book as soon as possible.
Exmouth Restaurants and Take-Aways
It can be expensive to eat out in Exmouth, but try the woodfired pizzas at the Whalebone Brewing Co. Or visit Whalers Restaurant, in the Exmouth Escape Resort, for delicious food (sit outside).
We didn’t eat at the Froth Craft Brewery in town, but the beers were great and the venue had a fun atmosphere.
If you have kitchen facilities and don’t mind cooking, buy some fish at the Fresh Fish Shack. This family-owned business has some of the freshest and tastiest fish we’ve ever had. It was so good that we bought fish from there three times during our stay in Exmouth.
On our last morning we wanted to find the Exmouth bakery for our tradition of a sausage roll when leaving a place. Ningaloo Bakehouse & Café didn’t disappoint with delicious sausage roll and jam donut
Visit The Social Society for nutritious vegan and vegetarian food, delicious coffee, and healthy fresh pressed juices. You can also buy eco friendly skincare, clothes, and artwork. I love their philosophy and dedication in trying to help save our beautiful planet.
Address: 2/5 Thew Street
Exmouth Travel Tips
- Collecting flora and fauna (including shells and corals) is not permitted anywhere in the marine park. This includes most of Exmouth beaches.
- Be careful of the coral when diving or snorkelling. Living coral is delicate and, once damaged, it often takes years to grow back, so do not stand on the coral.
- Mobile phone reception is good in town but may drop out elsewhere. We found the lighthouse to have the best reception!
- If you’re visiting in winter, bring a sharkskin top or wetsuit to keep you warm in the water.
- Bring shoes with good grip for hiking.
Exmouth or Coral Bay?
Coral Bay is best if you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday and want to be close to Ningaloo Reef. All accommodation is close to Bill’s Bay, enabling you to snorkel off the beach to the reef.
Exmouth is great for those that want other things to do, like hiking and surfing. This town has more accommodation choices and places to eat. It also has a younger crowd with backpackers and couples experiencing the van life.
Or do as we did and see them both! Then you can make up your own mind which is best.
Exmouth or Broome?
You can’t make me decide between these two beautiful WA towns! They both offer activities, spectacular scenery, wildlife experiences, and a tropical laid-back vibe. Read our guide on things to do in Broome and see what appeals to you the most. Or you could always return and see the place you missed out on last time!
Is Exmouth Worth Going To: My Thoughts
Exmouth is a long way from Perth but it is absolutely worth going to. In fact, it’s one of the best destinations in Western Australia and should be on your WA bucket list.