Shark Bay is a breathtaking slice of Western Australia where rust-red cliffs meet crystal clear waters, and wildlife thrives both in the water and on land.
Home to some of WA’s most unique landscapes, incredible marine adventures, and amazing cultural experiences, this UNESCO-listed region deserves a spot on your WA bucket list.
In this guide, we’ll show you the 15 most epic things to do in Shark Bay, plus handy tips to help you plan your trip.
FAQ:
Where is Shark Bay
Shark Bay is located on the westernmost point of Australia, around 850 km north of Perth. It’s part of the Gascoyne region and is home to some amazing spots like Monkey Mia, Denham, Dirk Hartog Island, and Francois Peron National Park.
How to get to Shark Bay
The most common way to reach Shark Bay is by road trip from Perth. It takes roughly 8–9 hours by car, so many travellers choose to stop at Geraldton and/or Kalbarri on the way.
Shark Bay is also a popular stop along a bigger road trip from Perth – Exmouth, we did this road trip in 10 days and have put together our full itinerary.
When is the best time to go
The best time to visit Shark Bay is between April and November, when the temperatures aren’t extreme, it’s perfect for exploring.
Summer months (December–March) can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C.
How many days do you need in Shark Bay?
We’d recommend staying 4-7 days to allow enough time to explore all the sights, go on tours and leave time to relax.
Where to stay in Shark Bay
Monkey Mia only has one option:
RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.
Denham hotels:
Heritage Resort Shark Bay
Bay Lodge
Shark Bay Seafront Apartments
Holiday parks:
Tasman Holiday Parks – Denham
Hamelin Pool
Located on the way into Shark Bay you’ll find some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, the Stromatolites. Hamelin Pool is one of only two places in the whole world where you can see these ‘living fossils’.
A boardwalk lets you view them without damaging the fragile structures.
Shell Beach
Imagine a beach with crystal clear water and billions of little tiny shells, that’s what you’ll find at Shell Beach.
It’s the perfect spot to stop in and go for a swim before you get to Denham or Monkey Mia.
Sunset at the Jetty in Denham or Monkey Mia
The sunsets in Shark Bay are stunning and the perfect place to do it, depending on where you are staying, is down at the jetty in Denham or Monkey Mia.
If you’re staying in Monkey Mia, there’s a good chance you’ll share a special sunset with the local dolphins.
Dolphin Feed Experience
The local park rangers come down to the beach at Monkey Mia to feed the dolphins up to 3 times between 7:45 am and 12 pm. They give them less than 10% of their daily intake to ensure the dolphins still do their own hunting!
We’d recommend getting down to the beach at 7:30 am for the best experience.
There is a fee to enter the Monkey Mia Conservation Park, which goes towards managing the experience. $15 per adult, $5 per child or $35 for a family.
Kayak to Francois National Park
Hiring a kayak was one of the best experiences we had while staying in Shark Bay. You can spot turtles, stingrays and dolphins while cruising along the shore.
You’ll find Mick’s beach hut right on the beach outside RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort with kayaks, paddle boats and SUPs available for hire. Find all the prices online here.
We’d recommend just walking down to the hut to speak with Mick about what might suit your needs the most.
If you don’t have a 4WD and still want to experience Francois Peron National Park, this is a great hack to do it! It takes about 40 minutes to paddle out to the national park.
Big Lagoon (4WD only)
One of the best places in the area to go kayaking or paddleboarding as the tranquil lagoons are home to an abundance of marine life.
It’s also a great spot to sit and relax and take in the iconic and contrasting colours that Shark Bay is known for.
Little Lagoon (2WD accessible)
If you don’t have a 4WD and had to miss out on Big Lagoon, fear not! Little Lagoon just outside Denham is accessible with a 2WD and is also a great spot to go kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling.
Be mindful of stonefish in the area though, we’d recommend wearing reef shoes here.
Ocean Park
This award-winning and eco-friendly aquarium is located just outside of Denham and is a great activity to add to your Shark Bay itinerary.
Join a guided tour, watch the sharks get fed or take in the amazing views from the Oceans Restaurant.
Steep point (4WD only)
Go on a 4WD adventure to the westernmost point of Australia’s mainland and enjoy epic views of the Zuytdorp Cliffs that stretch all the way from Steep Point to Kalbarri!
Steep Point is also any fisherman’s dream as it’s known to be one of the world’s best fishing spots from land.
Eagle Bluff (2WD friendly)
A short walk leads to an epic cliff-top boardwalk with panoramic views over Shark Bay.
You might even be able to spot sharks, dugongs, or rays in the clear waters.
Dirk Hartog Island
Visit this world heritage island for the day or choose to go off grid for a few days.
Dirk Hartog is home to crystal clear waters, secluded beaches and unforgettable adventures.
Spend some time off grid at the iconic Island Lodge, ocean side camp or stay in a private villa.
You can go on day tours from Denham or take your own 4WD from Steep Point by utilising the island barges.
Hot tubs in Peron Homestead (2WD)
This is the furthest into Francois Peron National Park you can get with a 2WD but it’s worth a visit.
Peron Homestead has some lovely hot tubs where you can indulge in the artesian waters, perfect spot to relax after exploring all the adventures that Shark Bay has to offer.
It can get a little busy here during the day and we’d highly recommend visiting later at night, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a little romance under the starry sky!
Monkey Mia Cruise
Join a morning cruise from Monkey Mia and spot the incredible marine life around Shark Bay.
Alternatively, jump on a sunset cruise and enjoy views of the sky’s continual change as the sun sets over the Peron Peninsula
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre
Learn about the natural and cultural significance of Shark Bay through interactive displays. It’s a great way for first time visitors to dive into the rich history of Shark Bay.
Join an Aboriginal cultural tour
Wula Gura Nyinda is recognised as one of the top 10 indigenous experiences in Australia. We’d highly recommend joining one of their tours to experience the region from the perspective of the World’s oldest living culture.
Final words
Shark Bay is a place that feels worlds away – it’s wild, raw, and full of wonder.
Whether you’re visiting for a couple of days or a full week, you’ll find unforgettable experiences around every corner, perfect for both adventure couples and families with young kids.
Read these next:
20 things to do in Kalbarri
Perth to Exmouth 10-Day Itinerary
15 Things to do in Exmouth
5 Best Snorkel Spots in Exmouth
Guide to swimming with whale sharks
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