# Fishing Ningaloo Reef & Exmouth Gulf | Charters, Rules & Best Spots Guide Canonical: https://bookfromowner.com.au/guides/wa/coral-coast/ningaloo-reef/fishing/ Type: ActivityGuide Location: Ningaloo Reef, Australia's Coral Coast, Western Australia Last updated: 2026-06-01 > A complete guide to fishing at Ningaloo Reef and the Exmouth Gulf — game fishing charters, Tantabiddi, Bundegi, Learmonth jetty, Coral Bay, marine park sanctuary zone rules and bag limits for the WA Coral Coast. ## Quick Answer - Best for: Game fishing and reef anglers — charter or shore - Price range: Shore fishing free; charters from ~$200 pp per half day - Vibe: Remote, productive, strictly regulated - Distance: Exmouth and Coral Bay, WA Coral Coast ## Featured Properties - Exmouth Escape Resort: 4.5/5 (428 reviews) Book direct: https://exmouthescaperesort.com.au/ Exmouth Escape Resort — Ningaloo Reef - Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort: 4/5 (960 reviews) Book direct: https://exmouthresort.net.au/ Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort — Ningaloo Reef - Potshot: 3.8/5 (887 reviews) Book direct: http://www.potshotresort.com/ Potshot — Ningaloo Reef ## FAQ Q: Can you fish at Ningaloo Reef? A: Yes, but with important caveats. The Ningaloo Marine Park has extensive sanctuary zones where all fishing is prohibited — the main reef fringe along the Cape Range Peninsula is largely no-take. Fishing is permitted in designated areas of the Exmouth Gulf, at Tantabiddi and Bundegi boat ramp areas, from Learmonth Jetty, and in the designated fishing sections around Coral Bay. Always download the current DBCA zone map before fishing, and carry a current WA recreational fishing licence. Q: Do I need a fishing licence to fish at Ningaloo? A: Yes — Western Australia requires a Recreational Fishing Licence for most saltwater fishing from anyone over 16 years old. Licences are available from DPIRD (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) and can be purchased online or from licensed agents. Species-specific bag and size limits also apply. Check current requirements with DPIRD before your visit, as requirements are updated annually. Q: What fish can you catch at Ningaloo and the Exmouth Gulf? A: The Exmouth Gulf is most famous for Spanish mackerel (April–September), marlin and sailfish (October–May), yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and trevally. Reef species in the designated fishing areas include coral trout, emperor, red emperor, snapper, and queenfish. Shore and jetty fishing at Learmonth adds mangrove jack, barramundi (estuary sections), trevally, and fingermark. The species mix is exceptional for a recreational fishery. Q: What are the sanctuary zone rules at Ningaloo? A: Sanctuary zones within the Ningaloo Marine Park are fully no-take, no-anchor areas — no fishing, no collecting, no anchoring on reef. The majority of the main Ningaloo reef fringe is sanctuary zone. The boundaries are not always obvious on the water. Download the current DBCA Ningaloo Marine Park zone map to your GPS or phone before fishing and check it against your position throughout the trip. Fines for fishing in a sanctuary zone are significant and ignorance of the boundaries is not a legal defence. Q: What is the best time to fish at Ningaloo? A: April to September delivers the best all-round fishing conditions: Spanish mackerel peak from April through September, the weather is cooler and the Gulf is calmer, and the autumn and winter months produce the most consistent conditions for Gulf runs and reef fish. Billfish (marlin and sailfish) are most active October to May, meaning the shoulder seasons of April–May and October–November offer the broadest combined species availability. Summer (November to March) is productive but the heat, cyclone risk and school-holiday boat traffic make it the second-choice season. Q: Is fishing at Ningaloo suitable for families and children? A: Yes — several options work well for families. Learmonth Jetty is the most accessible land-based option, with a safe structure, mixed species and no boat required. Bundegi beach fishing on the calm Gulf foreshore suits younger children who tire of sitting on a boat. Shore fishing in the designated areas of Coral Bay is calm and sheltered. For older children, a half-day mackerel charter in the Gulf is fast-action and engaging. Always confirm zone rules and carry a current fishing licence — and anyone under 16 in WA is exempt from the licence requirement. ## At a Glance - Marine park rules: Sanctuary zones are fully no-take — check DBCA boundaries before every trip - Licence: WA recreational fishing licence required — check current requirements with DPIRD - Main species: Marlin, sailfish, tuna, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, coral trout, emperor, snapper - Boat ramps: Tantabiddi (Cape Range NP) and Bundegi (north of Exmouth) — main access points - Shore fishing: Learmonth Jetty (mixed species), Coral Bay foreshore, Bundegi beach (in permitted areas) - Game fishing season: Year-round in the Gulf; marlin and sailfish typically Oct–May; Spanish mackerel peak Apr–Sep - No-take zones: The main Ningaloo reef system is largely sanctuary zone — fish only in designated areas - Best base: Exmouth for Gulf game fishing and Tantabiddi/Bundegi; Coral Bay for southern access ## Featured - 1. Exmouth Gulf game fishing charters — Advanced · offshore · the headline fishing experience - Why people love it: The Gulf's deep, productive water in close proximity to Exmouth produces billfish and pelagic game fish accessible on a day charter that would require far longer offshore runs elsewhere in WA. - Don't miss: A full-day blue-water charter targeting billfish in the Gulf — the premier fishing experience at Ningaloo, with a knowledgeable skipper who knows where the fish are. - Good to know: Game fishing charters are a significant investment — a full day for billfish can run to several hundred dollars per person. Not suited to casual anglers; the experience rewards those who are genuinely committed to the fishing and prepared for a long day in open water. - 2. Tantabiddi boat ramp and reef fishing — Self-launch · Cape Range NP · Gulf-side access to the outer reef - Why people love it: The closest self-launch access to Ningaloo's outer reef fishing areas for trailered boat anglers who know their zone map — reef fish in some of the most pristine water in WA. - Don't miss: Reef fish in excellent condition in permitted outer-reef areas — coral trout, emperor and snapper close to the most intact section of the reef. - Good to know: Know your zone boundaries before you launch — sanctuary zones are close and enforcement is active. The ramp and reef access can be rougher on exposed days; check the forecast. Cape Range National Park entry fee applies. - 3. Bundegi boat ramp and beach fishing — Shore + boat · north of town · calmer Gulf waters - Why people love it: The most reliable and accessible launching point near Exmouth — calm, sheltered, usable when Tantabiddi is too rough, with good mixed-species fishing close to the ramp. - Don't miss: A reliable calm-water launch for Gulf fishing when reef-side conditions are rough — and queenfish and trevally within reach of the beach in the sheltered water. - Good to know: Gulf zone boundaries run through this area — download the current DBCA zone map before launching. The calmer water means different species profiles than the outer reef; manage expectations for reef fish on a Bundegi launch. - 4. Learmonth Jetty — Shore · land-based · mixed species · all abilities - Why people love it: Land-based access to deep Gulf water with a species diversity that most jetties don't come close to — the Ningaloo area's best no-boat fishing experience. - Don't miss: Night fishing from the jetty with live bait for mangrove jack and trevally — the most productive session at Learmonth and a genuine local favourite. - Good to know: Confirm access conditions locally before visiting — the proximity to a Defence establishment means access can occasionally be restricted. It's a long drive from Exmouth for a short session; plan it as a half-day at minimum. - 5. Light-tackle sportfishing — Spanish mackerel and pelagics — Charter or self-launch · the fast-water highlight - Why people love it: Spanish mackerel in the Gulf is Ningaloo fishing distilled — a fast, visual, accessible light-tackle sport fish that produces excellent table fare, on a half-day from a manageable boat. - Don't miss: A mackerel on light gear in the Gulf, followed by barbecuing it the same evening — the simplest and most satisfying Ningaloo fishing experience. - Good to know: Mackerel are seasonal (April–September peak). Outside the season, pelagic action is available but less predictable — check current conditions with Exmouth charter operators before booking. - 6. Coral Bay fishing — Southern access · designated areas · reef species - Why people love it: For visitors based in Coral Bay, the designated reef fishing areas deliver good reef species without the 150-kilometre drive to Exmouth — and the combination of snorkelling and light fishing suits a full family day on the southern reef. - Don't miss: Reef species in the designated fishing areas of the southern reef — coral trout and emperor on relatively light gear in good condition. - Good to know: The zone boundaries at Coral Bay are complex and close — fishing in a sanctuary zone here is a genuine risk for the unprepared. Download the DBCA zone map before any fishing, and confirm current rules with the local information centre on arrival. ## What travellers say - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: