Contrasts, wildlife, and natural beauty, this area has it all and there are many amazing things to do in Shark Bay. Back in 1991, Shark Bay was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list due to its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and unique features. The water in Shark Bay has an incredibly high salinity and a picturesque variety of shades of turquoise and blue. Colors, that contrast and blend with the red ground.
Before visiting Shark Bay, I was not looking forward to exploring this area. Somehow, it just did not appeal to me. But I could not have been more wrong! Shark Bay is absolutely stunning, and after 2.5 days there I did not want to leave. There were so many things to do in Shark Bay, that I did not get the chance to do and beautiful spots that I have yet to see.
And all that, after my group had already decided to extend our stay from one night to two nights. Therefore, it is safe to say that I love the area and cannot wait to return there. In fact, I might have already tagged the exact locations that I want to capture with my camera when I finally have the chance to revisit the beautiful Shark Bay area with its breathtaking beauty.
If I had to rank my top 10 places in Australia, it would definitely be on the list. And as it is located 850 kilometers north of Perth, this area is a great extended city break from Perth.
1. Monkey Mia Reserve and Dolphins
If you wish to visit this amazing place, you have to pay a fee to enter the reserve. But the small fee is definitely worth the opportunity to see wild bottlenose dolphins this close to the beach.
The dolphins are fed three times a day. Hereby, the first feeding of the day is at 7:30 AM. The actual times of the other two feedings depend on the dolphins, but they are always before noon.
It’s important to note that these feedings are supervised by rangers. Additionally, the amount of fish the dolphins eat during these feedings is strictly limited. This way the dolphins are still forced to hunt. Their natural behavior remains unchanged.
The amount of dolphins present during the individual feedings varies, as it is up to the animals to show up in the ‘experience area’. And if you are lucky, you might even get to see a baby dolphin.
Read more: Ethical Dolphin Encounters in Monkey Mia
Please mind the strict rules concerning dolphin encounters during feedings or at the beach. They are in place to protect these precious animals, so take the time to read them once you have arrived.
Do not forget to take some time to learn more about the dolphin families that visit Monkey Mia. It really makes you realize how dynamic dolphin families are and make you appreciate them more.
Once you have seen these gentle, wild dolphins, you will never want to see an imprisoned marine mammal again. As you observe them and hear their stories you have no choice but to realize how much these animals cherish their families and how much they need their freedom to thrive.
While in Monkey Mia, you can also go on a wildlife cruise on a catamaran. The cruises depart in the pier area close to the location of the dolphin experience. Usually, there are both daytime and sunset cruises, so book a spot for your cruise of choice when you arrive in Monkey Mia.
I did a lot of research before I added the Dolphin Experience to this post, so I can promise you that it is ethical when evaluated based on the current knowledge about dolphins. Obviously, this position can always change when new discoveries about animals are made, but the marine biologists that observe these dolphin families deem it ethical, so I’ve decided to trust their education and judgment.
2. Shell Beach
Shell Beach is quite unique as it is not a sand beach, but a shell beach. There are only two beaches like it in the world, so visiting this unique location is one of the best things to do in Shark Bay. The beach is made up of tiny white shells called Shark Bay cockle shells and creates a beautiful scenery when combined with turquoise water. These shells can only live in the hypersaline Hamelin Bay and today the shell layer is between 7 to 10 meters high.
The beach stretches over 70 km (and some sources even say that it is 120 km long). It is the ideal destination for a relaxed afternoon full of swimming and taking in this unique environment. It is not allowed to take shells.
It is located 45 km away from Denham and 84 km off the North West Coastal Highway.
Back in the early 1900s, the shells were quarried. If you want to see a building built with these shells, you should check out the Old Pearler Restaurant in Denham.
3. Hamelin Pool Stromatolites
Stromatiles are the oldest and biggest “living fossils” on earth, and Hamelin Pool has a lot of them. Formed by cyanobacteria, these microbial mats are a very diverse and complex ecosystem. They date back 3.5 billion years and grow no more than a maximum of 0.3 mm per year.
Today, few places in the world still have stromatolites, and the aggregation in Hamelin Pool is by far the largest in the world. Therefore, visiting them is another unique thing to do in Shark Bay.
To see them, you can walk along a 200 meters long jetty that was built to protect the stromatolites while allowing visitors to get close to them. It is a 750 meters long return walk from the car park.
As of April 2024, the boardwalk is still closed after being damaged by Cyclone Seroja in 2021. If you want to see the stromatolites, you can catch a glimpse of them from the Hamelin Pool quarry.
Note: At first glance, it might look like there are penguins, but it’s actually cormorants. The colors match, so it is no surprise that some people in my road trip crew thought it was penguins, but ultimately Hamelin Bay is not one of the places where you can see penguins in Australia.
Be sure to also visit the nearly Old Hamelin Telegraph Station that dates back to 1884. Until the 1950s, it played a vital role in the state’s communication system, and it is quite interesting to tour the station. The tour runs daily around 3 PM and costs 5.50 AUD. If you are staying at the Hamelin Pool Caravan Park or accommodation, the tour is free.
4. Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park is an outdoor lover’s dream. Here, the vivid red meets turquoise waters, and you can explore a natural paradise. This park offers both oceanic cliffs and red sand dunes. It is the ideal destination if you want to venture off-the-beaten-path and drive off-road. To visit the national park, you can kayak there from Monkey Mia or drive there with a 4WD.
Visit the Big Lagoon and kayak in the pristine environment or go fishing. The water here has different shades of blue and turquoise and is home to a vast number of dolphins, rays, and sharks. A true photographer’s dream!
If you want to spot wildlife, you should head to Skipjack Point. Also, visit Bottlenose Bay at Cape Peron. It is supposed to be one of the most beautiful spots in the area, so visiting is one of the great things to do in Shark Bay. Skipjack Point and Cape Peron are connected by the 1.5 km long Wanamalu Trail, so it is the ideal spot for a nice short hike.
Peron Homestead Precinct – If you want to know what life there was like back when the national park was a working sheep station, you should go on a self-guided walking tour at the Peron Homestead Precinct. After the tour, you can soak in the big ‘Hot Tub’, that once supplied the station with water. It is filled with warm artesian water and a real must-do. It is possible to visit the precinct in a regular car.
Based on all that, I believe that exploring Francois Peron National Park is one of the best things to do in Shark Bay. Not getting to explore it with a 4WD is one of my biggest regrets when it comes to my second Australia trip.
I and two other women tried to rent a 4WD for one night so we could explore this stunning Australian National Park, but it turned out, that it is not possible to hire a 4WD in Denham on Sundays. A fact that is especially annoying as I was in Denham on Saturday, which means we could have rented it a day earlier if we had known about it. Be sure not to make the same mistake.
Francois Peron National Park Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for Francois Peron National Park is 15 AUD per day per private vehicle with up to 12 people and 8 AUD per day for motorcycles.
Camping in Francois Peron National Park
Adults have to pay 11 AUD per night to camp in Francois Peron National Park while children between 6 and 15 have to pay 3 AUD per night. It is not possible to book ahead at any of the five campsites within Francois Peron National Park. Big Lagoon campsite has the best facilities and tends to be the most popular one, so be sure to arrive early in the day or you risk not getting a camping spot.
5. Eagle Bluff
If you want to spot manta rays, sharks, dugongs, and potentially also dolphins, you should head towards Eagle Bluff. This cliff area has a long viewing platform and a 400 meters long broad-walk and is the best place to go marine animal spotting. Standing on top of the cliffs grants you an astonishing view of the crystal-clear water below, so you should not skip this great thing to do in Shark Bay.
Try to identify the sharks and rays as you spot them and see who spots the common three species first: the Lemon Shark, the Nervous Shark, and the Shovel-Nose Ray. All of them have unique features, so you should be able to do it with the help of the information boards. To my great dismay, I did not manage to spot all three, but I’ll try again next time!
From Eagle Bluff, you can also observe Eagle Island, a limestone island on which birds nest, and watch the sunset. It is located 23 km south of Denham, so the driving time in the dark is not too long. There is a car park, so you do not have to worry about where to safely park your car near the cliff area.
6. Little Lagoon
Little Lagoon is a natural swimming pool that is located 5 km north of Denham. You can either drive there with a regular car or walk there from Denham via the Lagoon Point walk trail. It is a beautiful little lagoon with crystal-clear turquoise water and is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUPing.
If you do not feel like entering the water, you can also relax at the beach and have a picnic while bird watching. I saw two emus walking through the water while there, so keep your eyes open. Camping is not allowed, but if you want a lunch or dinner break, you can use the public BBQ.
7. Dirk Hartog Island
Dirk Hartog Island is an ecotourism destination that is perfect if you want pristine beaches, observe the annual whale migration, or volunteer by monitoring the nesting loggerhead turtles between November and February.
The eastern part of Dirk Hartog Island is more secluded and has shallow beach entries. Therefore, it is the perfect place if you want to snorkel or stand up paddleboard. Meanwhile, the west of the island has cliffs and is the location of the latest Australian sunset. Head towards Herald Heights – an around 180 meters high cliff – for the best sunset view.
Dirk Hartog Island offers a lot of scenic places, like Rose Lake, which is a pink lake that looks the best between August and May. Additionally, there are blowholes and amazing beaches like Turtle Bay. If you want to observe sharks, you should head towards Surf Point, as that’s where they tend to aggregate from July to October.
Aside from its natural elements, the island is also a historic place of interest. For periods of time, Dirk Hartog Island used to be a pastoral station. Today there is a lighthouse at the location of the first landing on the island, a place now known as Cape Inscription.
Dirk Hartog Island Rules
The island is currently undergoing a restoration campaign called ‘Return to 1616‘. It is the goal of this campaign to return the island to its original state of flora and fauna. Hereby, 10 small marsupials and mammals and 1 bird species will be reintroduced until 2030.
In order to ensure that tourism does not undermine these efforts, special rules apply. Fire is not allowed and trash has to be stored and taken off the island when leaving. No one should drive between dusk and dawn as the animals tend to use the vehicle tracks when it gets dark. Additionally, it is not allowed to bring any animals or seeds to the island. Therefore, it is required to clean your car and gear before you start your trip to Dirk Hartog Island and again at the barge. One also has to ensure that one always stays on the tracks so no native fauna is destroyed.
Camping at Dirk Hartog Island
It is necessary to book a camping spot on one of the nine campgrounds on Dirk Hartog Island in advance.
How to get to Dirk Hartog Island
Ferry – Most people that visit the island take the ferry departing Barge Landing Beach at Steep Point. You have to book the ‘Hartog Explorer’ ferry in advance. As of 2021, a one-way trip costs at least 182.50 AUD and up to 340 AUD on some days, so it is recommended to stay at least 3 nights.
Airport – It is possible to arrange a flight from Monkey Mia Airport to Dirk Hartog Island. Contact Shark Bay Aviation to book a charter flight.
Ship from Denham – It is also possible to take a boat ride to Dirk Hartog Island. The boat has to be booked in advance and departs the Denham Jetty at 2 PM. The boat ride takes 1:15 hours.
Dirk Hartog Island Tours
Dirk Hartog Island Tours are one of the most expensive things to do in the Shark Bay area. Organized by the Denham Ocean Park, the half-day 4WD Dirk Hartog Island tours or ‘island life adventures’ are run from Denham.
Tours run from 8 AM to 1 PM on Monday and Wednesday and from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Friday. The current price of these tours is 275 AUD per adult and 225 AUD per child under 16. The price includes the transfer from Denham, a BBQ, a Homestead Bay & Shearing Shed Tour in addition to the 4WD tour to some of the island’s most popular locations.
A full-day tour for up to 4 people costs 3000 AUD. While a lot more expensive than the half-day tour, it does include a scenic flight to the island and includes more locations on the island. There are also tours that include nights on the island.
8. Denham
Denham is a charming seaside town and Shark Bay’s commercial center. It has a pearl farming history and is the place to go if you want to learn more about the area. There are several hotels in Denham, and the restaurants and cafés in the town center are the perfect places to grab a bite before heading towards the town’s beaches.
If you want to learn more about what makes Shark Bay a World Heritage area as well as the area’s history, you should visit the Shark Bay Discovery Center. It has an exhibition space with ever-changing exhibitions as well as one permanent exhibition called ‘Fire on the Water’. Said exhibition explores the battle of the HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran during WWII with the help of a 3D film. Visiting this exhibition is free.
I personally did not spend a lot of time in Denham itself, but the one thing that burned itself into my memory is the ocean-themed mosaic on the roundabout. Be sure to check them out! It is impossible to miss them as the roundabout is on the main street.
9. Steep Point & Edel Land
Steep Point is the most Westerly point of mainland Australia so visiting is a must if you have already been to Byron Bay’s Cape Cape, the most eastern point of Australia. It is supposedly one of the best shore-fishing spots in the country. The area around it has been named Edel Land and will soon be a national park.
This great thing to do in Shark Bay offers its visitors a large variety of things ranging from the blowholes of Thunderbay to white sand beaches in an area known as False Entrance and the eastern beaches and campsites of Shelter Bay. Shelter Bay has a boat ramp, so it is the ideal place if you want to go boating.
Another stunning feature are the 200 meters high Zuytdorp cliffs, which were named after a Dutch trading ship that shipwrecked here in 1712. These cliffs also happen to be a great whale watching spot, so plan to spend some time here.
If you want to explore the area you have to pay 15 AUD per private car or 8 AUD per motorcycle per day. In case you have already visited another Western Australia national park that day like Shark Bay’s Francois Peron National Park or be on your way to Dirk Hartog Island National Park, you only have to pay the national park fee once.
Camping at Edel Land and Steep Point
If you wish to camp at Edel Land and Steep Point you have to book a camping spot in advance. The usual Western Australia national park camping fees if 11 AUD per night for adults and 3 AUD per night for children apply.
10. Additional Things to Do in Shark Bay
Whale Watching: From August to October you can go on a whale-watching cruise. Prices vary, but you should expect to pay around 175 AUD per person.
Dive Shark Bay: It is possible to dive in Shark Bay. A double boat dive package with two dives at Steep Point with a tank and weights costs 275 AUD. Gear rental costs an additional 30 AUD. Diving at Steep Point allows divers to encounter a variety of sharks including Grey Nurse sharks and to explore huge underwater caverns with soft corals. A combination that makes this dive site an Australian bucket list dive spot.
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How to get to Shark Bay?
Monkey Mia is 850 km north of Perth, so it takes 9 hours to drive the distance. Alternatively, you can catch a 2 hours long flight from Perth to Monkey Mia airport. If you want to explore all the great things to do in Shark Bay, you need a 4WD, so plan accordingly.
If you do not want to explore Shark Bay on your own, you can book a 4 days-long group trip from Perth.
There are several amazing stops along the way including Kalbarri National Park and the Lancelin Sand Dunes. Therefore, the route is a perfect road trip route and it is best to spend at least four days on the road.
If you have more time, you should consider driving further north after you have explored the Shark Bay area. Hereby, you can continue onwards to Exmouth or drive all the way from Perth to Broome.
How long do you need in Shark Bay?
If you want to see the bare minimum of what Shark Bay has to offer, you need at least two days. During these two days, you will be able to visit the less remote locations, but you will undeniably miss out on some of the highlights of this area. Therefore, a longer stay is recommended.
If you also want to explore one more remote area – likely Francois Peron National Park – you need at least five days in the Shark Bay area. Everything else would be rushed and you would not be able to fully enjoy your time there. If you also want to explore Dirk Hartog Island, you should plan a one-week-long trip through Shark Bay.
When to visit Shark Bay?
Shark Bay has hot summers and relatively dry winters, so it is an amazing destination year-round. However, there are several factors that might influence when it is the best time to visit Shark Bay for you.
December to January and September tend to see the largest amount of tourists, so avoid these months if you want to skip the crowds.
If you want comfortable temperatures that are neither too cold nor too hot, you should visit Shark Bay between April and May. This time is ideal for swimming, and many locals consider it the best time to visit Shark Bay.
Avoid June to September if you plan to camp and want to avoid colder nights (10°C). However, you might just want to invest in a thicker sleeping bag, as this time is also the best for hiking and watersports like kayaking and SUPing.
While winter is the rainiest time, summer is the windiest. Therefore, a visit from October to March is ideal if you want to go windsurfing or kiteboarding. Just keep in mind, that November to April also happens to be the cyclone season. While cyclones are not common in this area, it is always good to check the weather report.
If you want to see wildflowers, you should plan a visit between August and October. Meanwhile, the best time to see humpbacks is from late July to early October. If you want to observe turtles nesting or hatching, you should visit Shark Bay between December and March.
Where to stay in the Shark Bay area
If you want to see the dolphins of Monkey Mia, your best option is the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. It offers everything from unpowered campsites, to hostel rooms, to private garden view rooms and beachfront villas.
The best accommodations in Denham are Wildsights Villas, the Best Beach Villa, and the Heritage Resort Shark Bay.
If you love camping, you can stay at one of the many amazing campsites of Shark Bay.
The shell-covered ground of the RAC Monkey Mia was the fanciest camping site we had during our Western Australia road trip.
Given that we had already been free camping for over a week, we might have decided to do a little ‘wellness break’ in the spacious lounge area of the camping sites. It might have included face masks and new nail polish and I am convinced that some people thought we were insane.
If you want a night of camping with an indoor kitchen and even a TV area during your road trip, I can only recommend camping here. Compared to many other camping parks, the RAC felt incredibly luxurious, and I love it. It’s ideal if you want to camp without actually sacrificing any comfort. A real treat, if you have been exploring the Outback for a while.
Shark Bay FAQ
Are there sharks in Shark Bay?
As can be expected based on the area’s name, sharks are quite common in Shark Bay. There are a total of 28 species that frequent the waters and call it their home. However, it is safe to swim there, so do not worry about it and enjoy the crystal-clear water.
Why is it called Shark Bay?
Back in 1699, the English explorer William Dampier decided to name the area Sharm Bay, after his man caught an exceptionally large number of sharks while fishing in the area.
Are you planning a trip?
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Roundup: Things to do in Shark Bay
There are a lot of amazing things to do in Shark Bay, and many of them are free. The World Heritage Area is a wonderland for nature lovers and a true paradise for photographers. Therefore, I can only encourage you to visit it and to spend as much time as possible there so you can explore everything that Shark Bay has to offer. Be sure to pack enough SD cards and charge your cameras, and you will have an amazing time!
More to See in WA
If you are making plans for your Western Australia trip, you might also want to check out these Australia Travel Guides:
Best time to visit Australia
Karijini National Park
Inspirational Western Australia Photos
Hidden Gems in Australia
Which of these things to do in Shark Bay is your favorite?
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