Meet the site
Nick's Lumps is one of the shallow west-side sites close to Tantabiddi boat ramp and appears on both Dive Ningaloo's Westside itinerary and Ningaloo Whaleshark-N-Dive's site list. The Aussie Marine Adventures series groups it with Floats and Three Fins as sites of about 15 m maximum, featuring big cracks in the reef and ledges, with reef sharks, sea turtles and large potato cod.
The lumps themselves are raised reef heads separated by sand and cracks, forming ledges and overhangs where whitetip reef sharks rest and cod patrol. Turtles are common, and the reef supports parrotfish, sweetlips, coral trout and schooling fusiliers. Its short run from the ramp makes it a common first dive or a fallback when swell limits how far the boat can go.
About the west side: Ningaloo is a fringing reef, and the west side of North West Cape is where the reef faces the open ocean beyond the lagoon. Only a handful of boats dive it, launching from Tantabiddi, and much of it is rarely visited. Topography ranges from shallow cracked reef and ledges near Tantabiddi Passage to surge channels, bommies and walls further out, with 'caves, swim-throughs, huge bommies or walls, and a truly diverse range of hard and soft corals'. Whale sharks, mantas and humpback whales are seasonal visitors, and humpback song is commonly heard underwater in winter. The 2025 marine heatwave caused significant coral mortality in northern Ningaloo, so expect some dead or recovering coral. A typical west-side day combines two sites chosen by the skipper on the morning, with lunch on board inside the lagoon; because swell and wind decide everything, divers visiting Exmouth for a week should book early in their stay and keep a back-up day. The same boats often snorkel with whale sharks, mantas or humpbacks in season, so a west-side dive day can deliver megafauna on the way out or back.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Nick's Lumps is recorded as Reef in Ningaloo – Exmouth. 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.
- 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 Nick's Lumps suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Nick's Lumps 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
Potato cod, whitetip reef sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, coral trout, sweetlips, parrotfish, fusiliers, moray eels, rays
Location
Shallow outer-reef site of cracked reef and ledges close to Tantabiddi Passage on the west side of North West Cape.
Facilities nearby
Tantabiddi boat ramp: toilets, car and trailer parking; no shade or fuel. Air fills and hire in Exmouth.
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
aussiemarineadventures.com.audiveningaloo.com.auwhalesharktours.com.auningaloowhalesharks.comswandive.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.