Hi kiters,
I'm Markus,we are a family of 5 coming to the "filthy west" in februar, our plan was to rent a campervan and then visit both south and north within a month...I hope this is the right forum to post to.
Ninaloo reef is on our wishlist because we'd love to show the kids (9-13y) the whalesharks and the rest we are currently researching kite spots/camping spots you won't need 4x4.
The plan would be to check out a Perth spot, then geraldton and then direction exmouth to ningaloo.
South Margaret river seems to be the place to be.
As I don't have much contacts with recent experience there, any help is appreciated.
Shall we go north first or the other way round?
Are there any tipps concerning camper rental - it'll be a 6-person camper most likely...
thanks a bunch and hope to see your famous beaches soon,
markus
Exmouth/Ningaloo in February is smack bang in the middle of cyclone season.
Friends of mine went up there that time last year and were sent packing when Cyclone Olwyn came straight over the top of Coral Bay.
I understand you'd like to see it but at that time of year i'd be looking at Esperance and the south west.
Beautiful beaches, plenty of camping spots. great time of year not too hot, not too cold.
Maybe go as far as Geraldton for the trip North. Its normally bloody hot as buggery the further North you go. Days in the 40's not uncommon . But you could strike a good patch inside your window of travel.
As Stu indicated the South West will be a little kinder to you re weather wise.
I have been to Coral Bay in February. Compared to the muggy Sydney summer it's not that bad. Yes it can get hot once the seabreeze stops but that only happens around Feb if a cyclone moves in. Not sure how el nino will impact Indian Ocean cylclones.
Regarding whale sharks from what I know whale sharks are only around April to November. You need to be a pretty strong swimmer to keep up. You can also do a manta ray swim inside of coral bay. They use a spotter plane to find the rays then take the boat to the location. Once they reached the spot they get everyone into the water quickly. Again you need to be a pretty strong swimmer to keep up. We have had a good experience swimming with the rays but I have heard from other people that it can be hit an miss... it's wild animals you are dealing with after all. That said Ningaloo reef is one of the most underrated tourist spots in Australia in my opinion. Yes the Great Barrier Reef is great but Ningaloo has a ruggedness about it that quite unique. It's great for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
Select to expand quoteCosmoc said..
Hi kiters,
I get the feeling you may need a map for your trip 
