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We spent a fabulous three days at the southern end of the Ningaloo Reef while at Coral Bay. We did some four-wheel driving around the sand dune country to discover some very untouched beaches and reef sections. The kids loved fossicking in the rock pools for interesting sea bits and coral. We did try a little snorkelling in the town bay, but after a short go realised that we were not in the best spot for viewing the reef. Annabelle and Kate inadvertently swam right next to a stingray at a depth of less than a metre, with Harrison on foot alongside. They made a quick turn around, relieved that Harrison had not stepped on it! The children delighted in the daily feeding of large spangled emperors which came right to the shore. They were told to dig their toes in the sand or they may be mistaken for a fish!
Our fourth and final family birthday for the trip (Kate’s) was celebrated here. Harrison and Kate went out on a snorkelling charter on the reef. The coral viewing from the flat glass bottomed boat was fabulous. The water was very nippy, and the swell and wind were up, but despite this the view under the water was calm and clear, teeming with colourful fish. After some time the local Spangled Emperors came to say hello, but unfortunately became a little too friendly. They circled around excitedly in great numbers. They are fairly big fish with decent thick lips. One of the other men onboard was apparently nibbled a number of times, but thankfully the Smeads escaped this affection! Harrison climbed back on board the boat first and Kate decided to snorkel a bit longer. After a while Kate asked the operator to kindly entice the school of fish away from the back of the boat so that she didn’t have to fight her way to the platform, but to her horror he thew burly her way, hitting her in the head. The fish launched at Kate as she frantically made it over to the back of the boat, throwing herself at the platform with several girlish squeals. It was very annoying that the operator was getting his kicks out of watching people fight their way through these fish.
We really enjoyed our time at picturesque Coral Bay and we were a little sad to leave this gorgeous section of the coast.
Our fourth and final family birthday for the trip (Kate’s) was celebrated here. Harrison and Kate went out on a snorkelling charter on the reef. The coral viewing from the flat glass bottomed boat was fabulous. The water was very nippy, and the swell and wind were up, but despite this the view under the water was calm and clear, teeming with colourful fish. After some time the local Spangled Emperors came to say hello, but unfortunately became a little too friendly. They circled around excitedly in great numbers. They are fairly big fish with decent thick lips. One of the other men onboard was apparently nibbled a number of times, but thankfully the Smeads escaped this affection! Harrison climbed back on board the boat first and Kate decided to snorkel a bit longer. After a while Kate asked the operator to kindly entice the school of fish away from the back of the boat so that she didn’t have to fight her way to the platform, but to her horror he thew burly her way, hitting her in the head. The fish launched at Kate as she frantically made it over to the back of the boat, throwing herself at the platform with several girlish squeals. It was very annoying that the operator was getting his kicks out of watching people fight their way through these fish.
We really enjoyed our time at picturesque Coral Bay and we were a little sad to leave this gorgeous section of the coast.
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