Meet the site
Purdy Point is Coral Bay's easy drift snorkel from the beach, reached by walking about 500 m south of Bill's Bay main beach past a distinctive red rock. A gentle current drifts north over the reef, so snorkellers enter near the five-knot sign and float back towards town.
The coral appears about 200 m out and is mostly staghorn, supplemented by cabbage and table corals; there is a notable lavender coral patch near the beach north of the sign. Nearshore bommies are brown and pinkish, becoming greener and purple in deeper water. Fish are abundant, and stingrays and sea cucumbers hide in the sand. Stay away from the offshore channel markers, where boats pass frequently.
It is a quintessential Coral Bay experience for beginners and families, with no tour required.
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.
Purdy Point is recorded as Drift in Ningaloo – Coral Bay. The listed access is shore. 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.
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 Purdy Point suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Purdy Point 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
Staghorn, cabbage and table corals, reef fish, stingrays, sea cucumbers, turtles
Location
Beach-entry drift snorkel over staghorn and plate coral about 500 m south of Bill's Bay main beach, Coral Bay, drifting north.
Facilities nearby
Coral Bay main beach: car parks, toilets, showers, cafés and gear hire in town.
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
remotetraveler.comaustraliascoralcoast.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.