Fishing In Exmouth
Australian Fishing Top Spot
With the continental shelf only kilometres offshore, the shallow protection of Exmouth Gulf on the doorstep and recognition as Western Australia’s most prestigious destination for game and sport fishing, the Exmouth and Coral Bay region is regarded by many as Australia’s premier fishing destination.
Visitors are welcomed from all over the world to fish the bewildering array of prized game, reef and sport fish to be found in the waters of Ningaloo. To name just a few as a taster, these include all six Australian billfish species, longtail and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, cobia, spangled emperor, blue bone, coral trout, Spanish mackerel, queen fish, whiting, bream and the monster giant trevally that patrol the tip of the North West Cape.
Whether your fishing preference is beach reef, game, sport, flats or fly, the Ningaloo region will deliver to your needs, with plenty of options for you to book onto a full or half day fishing tour, hire a private fishing charter, launch your own boat, or find your own perfect piece of beach fishing paradise.
Boat Launching Facilites
Exmouth has three strategically placed boat ramps providing easy access the waters surrounding the North West Cape. Right beside Exmouth township, Exmouth Marina is on the coast of Exmouth Gulf, while 12km to the north Bundegi Boat Ramp sits just inside the tip of North West Cape. Round on the west side of the North West Cape Tantabiddi Boat Ramp provides easiest access to the Ningaloo Lagoon, Ningaloo Reef and the open Indian Ocean.
Weather: Tantabiddi (Exmouth) wave and weather (transport.wa.gov.au)
A fourth boat ramp in the region can be found at Coral Bay.
Other small-boat beach-launching areas can be utilised with 4WD vehicles in the Cape Range National Park camping grounds.
Fishing Tournaments and Exmouth Game Fishing Club
Exmouth has long been a hub of fishing activity and in the 1970s, a group of keen local anglers formed Exmouth Game Fishing Club, which now boats a membership of over 500 and a purpose built, boat shaped clubhouse at Exmouth Marina.
As well as being very proactive in conservation efforts through their tag and release programme, the club hosts several events and tournaments throughout the year including Western Australia’s top fishing event GAMEX which attracts anglers from across the world and regularly breaks fishing records every March.
Sanctuary Zones
Anyone fishing in the Ningaloo area should make themselves aware of the several conservation sanctuary zones where fishing is strictly prohibited or limited. For information, please visit: www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/ningaloo