Meet the site
Cardabia Passage is a named gap in the Ningaloo Reef north of Coral Bay, on the coast of Cardabia Station (which surrounds the town).
Passages through the reef — the 'cuts' that Coral Bay's advanced divers favour — funnel ocean water in and out of the lagoon, carrying plankton that attracts manta rays, reef sharks and schools of pelagic fish. Their walls typically carry hard and soft coral, and currents can be strong on spring tides. Expect a current-driven dive best done as a drift with a live boat and experienced guide.
About Coral Bay: the town is a small resort settlement on Bill's Bay at the southern end of the Ningaloo Coast, about 150 km south of Exmouth. The outer reef lies close to shore, so both lagoon snorkels and outer-reef dives are short boat rides away, and Coral Bay is home to Western Australia's largest resident population of reef manta rays, seen year-round. Much of the water around town lies within the Maud Sanctuary Zone, where fishing and collecting are prohibited. Advanced divers favour the 'cuts', where open-ocean water funnels through gaps in the reef and brings in sharks, mantas and pelagics, while the calm lagoon suits training and beginners. The 2025 marine heatwave affected northern and central Ningaloo most; southern areas including Coral Bay sustained less damage, according to AIMS.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cardabia Passage is recorded as Drift in Ningaloo – Coral Bay. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Cardabia Passage suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Cardabia Passage through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Expected: manta rays, grey and whitetip reef sharks, trevally, mackerel, turtles, hard and soft corals
Location
Named passage through the Ningaloo Reef north of Coral Bay, off Cardabia Station; used for outer-reef and passage dives.
Facilities nearby
Coral Bay boat ramp 2 km south of town; town has toilets, showers, cafés, caravan parks and a dive shop with air fills.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
exploroz.comen.wikivoyage.orgaussiemarineadventures.com.auningalooreefdive.comcoralbay.infoone-million-places.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.