I encourage you to check out their website and investigate further for yourselves. They have a revolving staff of marine biologists and researchers on board, but they only ‘go out’ 2 – 3 times a week, so you will need to be organised in advance.

Below is an excerpt taken from their website:

Unlike any other ‘swim with whale sharks’ tour on the Ningaloo, Oceanwise Expeditions combine ecotourism and marine research to facilitate education and conservation, helping to protect whale sharks and the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

http://www.oceanwise.com.au/

Also have a look at their free photos gallery…shots of the whaleshark are magnificent! http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceanwise_expeditions

Three words to tell you…ALL DAY BREAKFAST…7am to 7pm. How good is that? AND you can bring your dog with you, obviously on a lead. They will even find a bowl for you for water. As they themselves are dog loving (Germain Short Haired Pointers) crew, it is great to see that someone is embracing the towns love of pets also.

They are also going to be doing Spit Roast nights, so I will give you feedback when I know more. For now, when you are in Exmouth on your holiday, staying in Ningaloo Reef Holiday’s Pet Friendly Accommodation, bring your dog with you anytime of day for a leisurely feed in the gardens at the mini golf grounds.

Give support to the biggest fish in the ocean

Australia’s Coral Coast is one of five tourism regions withing Western Australia and it stretches from Cervantes in the south to Exmouth in the north. It is approximately 1170km of coastline.

The Coral Coast is is home to Australia’s largest fringing reef, the Ningaloo Reef which is made up of more than 260km of coast. The Ningaloo Reef is home to 500+ species of tropical fish and 220+ species of coral.

The worlds largest fish, the Whaleshark, grows up to 18m long, makes the Ningaloo Reef its home from March – July every year. Ningaloo is one of the few regions in the world where the whaleshark regularly visits and is easily accessible to observers.

Seems like there are plenty of reasons to visit but as the whalesharks are now ‘just’ arriving into our waters, how about coming sooner than later.

Things to pack when in a cyclone. The Emergency Kit!

• torches, batteries, candles, matches…anything that will light up the lock down dark house when power goes out.
• games and books, nothing worse than polite conversation for days on end with the dog.
• food and water, things that you can eat without refrigeration, its hard to get this one right as no one wants a house full of baked bean eaters.
• and grog…well you might as well have a party if you are locked down.

So with Cyclone Peta on her way to us by Friday, here’s hoping it is only wind and rain it provides, the tanks need filling and I kind of like a day indoors with a good book. Fingers crossed.

So we locked ourselves indoors, armed with extra grog and nibbles, and waited for it all to happen. And we waited. And waited.

After a bit of rain, some strong winds, and the odd tree limb down….it was a fizzer. But the ground has had a big drink, the rain water tanks are full and the sandbags are parked at the front door in readiness for our next attempt at cyclone preparation.

Glad we are all safe and sound. Now we just have to drink and eat up all those provisions!!

Grey skies on day two of Narelle

Pack water wherever you go. Extra bottles all over the car,  you may break down. A bottle to take to the shops, you need to remain vigilant. Don’t just have a glass, have two glasses. You must double if not treble the quantity than you normally drink. You may also need Hyrolytes, so get them from the pharmacy and take one a day to replace lost salts etc.

Eat ‘wet’ foods like watermelon, salad, tomatoes. Keep dehydrating alcohol to a quiet roar, which is hard at Christmas. But water in between drinks, and water before bed.

Make sure your pets are getting more water than they need also. Drown their food bowl in water, they will eat and drink it all, trust me.

Don’t try and work on your tan in this HOT weather. You will burn, you will become dehydrated, and the heat of your burns will make it unbearable for days after. You may get sunstroke.

Work like a Mexican! Get what you need to do done in the morning and the late afternoon and evening  if possible. Try and rest out the hottest part of the day. It makes a huge difference.

Don’t forget the thongs!

This three bedroom cottage has one queen bed, a single in the second room, and a single plus a futon in the third room. One bathroom with toilet separate.

Basic cottage, with all you will need, digital TV, BBQ, fully fenced for the kids to run in the garden, and best of all…just about opposite a park and playground.

All dates over Christmas still vacant. Price is $150 – $180 a night depending on length of stay.

Ring Helen on 0400 933 338

Bright sunny lounge room

• Lakeside – from the Milyering Visitor Centre drive past towards the water and veer left. Park at the beach and walk left around the point to get to some of the best ‘from the beach’ snorkeling on the Ningaloo Reef.
• Oyster Stacks – check the tide charts and make sure dont try this one at low tide, there will be nothing to see. But at high tide it is teaming with marine life.
• Sandy Bay – if you have small children and want them to get some practice in first, then this is a perfect choice. A good 45 min drive from Exmouth, on the west side, but worth the drive. Shallow turquoise water, with fish swimming in the lagoon.
• Turquoise Bay – an all time favourite and for stronger swimmers, the Drift is a must. Let the waters carry you over the reef, with little or no effort. Or if you are not that brave, then snorkel from the safety of the beach and see lots of large fish and marine life.
• Bundegi Beach – closer to home, at the tip of the North West Cape, good for practicing your snorkeling. Reef interesting at low tide and lots of marine life.

Remember to check your tide charts!

Should you need to hire snorkel gear, contact Helen mob: 0400933338.

You get a whole house, (not just a cramped chalet) on a large block (most around 9oom2), on a quiet residential street. You get secure parking for your boat and vehicles. You get a yard and gardens for the kids to play in. Some homes are even pet friendly. All holiday homes are fully equipped with all linen and household items.

With motel rooms starting at around $220 a night, how could you possibly pass up a holiday ‘home’ with personality and character at (starting from) $180 a night!!

The downside of holiday home accommodation….you have to book early…word is out that it is the most affordable way to holiday in Exmouth and on the Ningaloo Reef.

You will need to be super quick as seats sell out. Ring me to secure your accommodation at Ningaloo Reef Holiday Homes, then book your flights. I will happily HOLD your booking dates whilst you arrange flights.

http://www.skywest.com.au/Destinations/Exmouth.aspx

This promotion is for flights from mid November 2012 to late March 2013 (Easter). And YES…we still have availability for Christmas in some homes. It is a great time as the Turtles are laying their eggs on the beach in the warm months, there are Humpback whales, Manta’s and abundant fish life…also hot balmy nights.