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DugongGreen turtle hatchings, NingalooWestern rock lobsterManta rayNature’s CalendarTurtle Nesting SeasonDuring the summer months fromNovember to April, green, loggerheadand hawksbill turtles come ashore atnight to lay their eggs on the beachesadjacent to the Ningaloo Reef. Touristscan view this spectacle from the JurabiTurtle Centre, just west of Exmouth on aguided tour. Bookings are essential, socontact the Exmouth Visitor Centre. Thereis also a turtle nesting season in SharkBay. Avid turtle fans wanting to make adifference can join the Turtle Trackersgroup, who volunteer their time to monitorthe endangered marine turtles. For moreinformation visit ningalooturtles.org.au.Coral SpawningIn March and April divers and snorkellerscan witness an amazing spectacle at theNingaloo Reef. Coral spawning occurswhen coral releases eggs and sperm intothe surrounding ocean approximately 10to 12 days after the full moon.Whale SharksKrill and other tiny sea creatures swarmto Ningaloo Reef to feast shortly after theannual coral spawning. This phenomenonattracts mighty whale sharks, the world’slargest fi sh who migrate to Ningaloo Reefto feed on the krill. Ningaloo is consideredone of the most reliable and accessibleplaces on earth to swim alongside theseharmless giants. Tours depart daily fromCoral Bay and Exmouth between midMarch and mid July.Page 8 | australiascoralcoast.comWhale MigrationHumpback whales travel close to theCoral Coast shoreline between June andNovember each year. Kalbarri offers plentyof cliff sites perched high above the water,providing excellent vantage points forwhale watching. The best locations arethe Natural Bridge, Eagle Gorge and RedBluff. The whales also visit the NingalooMarine Park, with the best viewing pointsat Town Beach, Bundegi Beach and theVlamingh Head Lighthouse near Exmouth.Whale watching boat tours operate out ofKalbarri, Coral Bay and Exmouth.Wildflower SeasonWildfl owers bloom all year roundthroughout Australia’s Coral Coast,although the best season to see them isbetween July and November. The regionis home to many species of coastal andinland wildfl owers and is best known forvast carpets of everlastings. See page 12for more information.Rock Lobster SeasonWestern rock lobsters can be found inabundance from Cervantes to Geraldtonand at the nearby Abrolhos Islands. FromNovember until June is rock lobster fi shingseason. You can purchase delicious freshlobster along the coast, or head to a localrestaurant for a superb feast. Cervantesand Geraldton have lobster processingfactories offering tours. You can also buylobster, scallops and octopus direct fromthe factory in Cervantes.Manta RaysManta rays can be seen year round atthe Ningaloo Marine Park. These majesticanimals are fi lter feeders and unlike thesting ray, they have no barb. Therefore,they are completely harmless, making itsafe to dive and snorkel with them. Take atour year round from Coral Bay, or betweenMay and November from Exmouth.DolphinsDolphins can be seen all year alongAustralia’s Coral Coast. Friendlybottlenose dolphins visit the shoresof Monkey Mia regularly to meet withvisitors. Lucky bystanders may also getthe chance to feed the dolphins theirbreakfast. Dolphins can also be spottedwhile swimming, snorkelling or divinganywhere along the coast. Keep youreyes peeled at the coastal gorges ofKalbarri and at Eagle Bluff, near Denham.DugongsDugongs can be found year round in theShark Bay and Ningaloo Marine Parks.The Shark Bay area alone supports 10per cent of the world’s dugong population.Dugongs can grow up to three metresin length and weigh as much as 400kilograms. Dugongs cannot hold theirbreath under water for very long, sothey can often be spotted coming to thesurface for air. Take a wildlife cruise orscenic fl ight into the Shark Bay or NingalooMarine Parks, departing from Monkey Mia,Denham, Coral Bay or Exmouth.