Monkey Mia to Coral Bay: Dolphins, Shells & Manta Rays

Waking up in Monkey Mia is something special. The morning light reflects off the calm waters, and there’s a quiet excitement in the air as people gather along the shore for the dolphin feeding. We stood barefoot in the shallows as the wild dolphins swam in, gliding effortlessly through the clear water. The rangers explained that the feeding is strictly controlled—only a small amount of fish is given to ensure the dolphins continue hunting naturally. Among them was a familiar face: one of the long-time resident females who’s been visiting for years. It was incredible to see these beautiful animals up close, knowing they come here by choice.

After soaking in the experience, we hit the road again, heading north toward Coral Bay. Along the way, we made a quick stop at Shell Beach, a place that truly lives up to its name. Instead of sand, the entire shoreline is made up of billions of tiny white shells, stretching for kilometers. It’s a strange and beautiful sight—so bright it almost hurts your eyes in the midday sun. We walked along the crunchy shells, taking in the quiet, before getting back on the road.

By evening, we reached Coral Bay, a laid-back paradise where the Ningaloo Reef is just a short swim from shore. The next morning, we set out on a manta ray snorkel tour, and it turned out to be one of the most incredible experiences of the trip so far. The highlight? Meeting Freckles, the oldest manta ray in the area. With a wingspan of several meters and unmistakable white markings, she moved gracefully through the water, completely unfazed by our presence. Watching her glide beneath us was breathtaking—like something out of a nature documentary. The underwater pictures were taken with our Osmo action 3 but you can clearly see we need an underwater case for the good cameras because the quality really isn't there.

After an unforgettable morning on the reef, we’re now back on land, still buzzing from the experience and wondering what the next stretch of the journey will bring. Western Australia just keeps surprising us! 🚐💙

Stay tuned for more updates—and don’t forget to check out our Polarsteps for quick snapshots along the way! 🌊📍