Meet the Local Marine Life in Coral Bay

Nyinggulu (ex-Ningaloo) is home to a diverse range of marine life.

On tour, we often encounter some of Coral Bay's "celebrities" throughout the year.

Meet some of our favourite locals – from graceful manta rays and majestic tiger sharks to grumpy ol' turtles and more, each encounter offers a unique glimpse into the vibrant underwater world of Nyinggulu.

Manta Rays

Coral Bay is renowned for its thriving population of manta rays, which can be spotted visiting the area year-round. In 2006, our skipper Frazer established a dedicated manta ray research and citizen science sighting catalogue to document their movements and feeding behaviours. Since then, the catalogue has expanded to include nearly 1,400 individual manta rays, contributing valuable insights into marine conservation and wildlife protection.

Isobel

(F0008)

Isobel is one of Coral Bay's beloved semi-residential manta rays, frequently spotted in the area since 2005. She was named after our skipper Frazer’s mum.

An unfortunate threat our coastal mantas face is entanglement. Isobel was found entangled in fishing line in 2021. Our team carefully removed it, helping to protect her from further harm.

She has reached her full wingspan of 4 meters, and her calm, majestic presence continues to captivate both our team and guests.

Freckles

(F0053)

Freckles is arguably one of the most well-known and beloved manta rays in Coral Bay. Featured on numerous posters and merchandise, she’s a true local celebrity. Her name comes from the distinctive "freckled" pattern on her belly, which makes her easy to recognize. A slow and graceful beauty, Freckles carries herself with elegance fitting her star status.

Most recently, Freckles has been pregnant in 2024, adding another chapter to her remarkable life.

We believe she is one of the oldest manta rays in the area, estimated to be around 35 years old, as she was almost at full size when first sighted.

Elle

(F0071)

Elle is one of Coral Bay's semi-resident manta rays, holding a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. As a melanistic manta ray, Elle stands out with her unique dark pigmentation on both her back and belly, accented by a small white patch—her signature identifying mark.

Melanistic mantas are rare, making up less than 20% of the Ningaloo manta ray population, and Elle is one of the most cherished. In 2024, she experienced her most recent pregnancy, showcasing her continued role in the region's vibrant marine ecosystem.

Known for her calm and relaxed nature, Elle is a favorite among snorkelers and divers in Coral Bay, providing an unforgettable experience for all who encounter her.

Kenny

(M0006)

Kenny is the 6th manta ray to be catalogued in the Ningaloo Manta Project Database. He is named after our skipper Frazer's late father, so safe to say he holds a special place in all our hearts.

Easily recognisable by a distinct injury sustained in 2016, Kenny lost his tail and the bottom of his claspers.

Despite this, Kenny remains a resilient and calm presence in the water, known for his relaxed demeanor during encounters with snorkelers.

Tiger Sharks

The Ningaloo Coast is home to awe-inspiring tiger sharks, and we've been offering unforgettable swims with these magnificent creatures since 2014. We began these experiences to challenge misconceptions and show that tiger sharks are not aggressive killing machines but powerful, graceful predators deserving of respect and protection. Our encounters take place in unbaited waters under highly controlled conditions, ensuring both guest safety and the shark’s wellbeing. While the swims are brief, the memory of sharing the water with these incredible sharks will last a lifetime.

Alberta

Alberta is by far the slowest shark you'll encounter in Coral Bay. She has a distinctive appearance with her left fin partially cut off due to a propeller injury. In 2022, Alberta was badly hit by a vessel, but her remarkable healing abilities have left the scar barely visible, showcasing her incredible resilience.

We’ve been seeing Alberta regularly during the summer months for over five years, with our last sighting in 2023. We hope she's continuing to thrive in the waters of Ningaloo.

Ivy Tiger Shark, Ningaloo Marine Interactions Tiger Shark Swim, Photography Naomi Sharp

Ivy

Ivy is easily recognized by her distinct split dorsal fin, likely the result of an old propeller injury.

We estimate her to be between 3.5 to 4 meters.

She has a bold, commanding presence in the water. Our spotters carefully assess Ivy's mood, as some days she prefers to be left alone to her sharky business.

Daisy

Daisy is another unforgettable Coral Bay tiger shark, identified by her bent dorsal fin and three visible propeller scars on her tail. She often exhibits a unique "yo-yo" swimming behavior, gracefully moving up and down the water column.

We estimate Daisy to be 4 metres, making her one of our largest semi-resident sharks.

We often encounter her during the summer months, though we're unsure where she spends her winter holidays.

Clover

Clover is one of our smaller semi-resident tiger sharks, slightly more timid than Daisy and Ivy. Notably slimmer, she often appears in Coral Bay during the winter months. Clover is easily identifiable by her dorsal fin, which is missing the top—likely the result of an old propeller injury.

Despite her reserved nature, Clover is never bothered by our presence. She allows us to observe her gracefully going about her day.

Loggerheads

Loggerhead turtles are classified as endangered in Western Australia, facing threats such as the loss of nesting areas, pollution, hatchlings being disoriented by coastal lighting, bycatch from fishing gear, and dredge fisheries. Fortunately, Coral Bay is home to a small, healthy resident population of Loggerhead turtles, and we are fortunate to spend time with them in the water. On our tours, we often encounter more males than females, as they tend to spend their time feeding on the sandflats.

A big thank you to the Sanctuary Project for their ongoing support and valuable knowledge in turtle conservation. If you spot a Loggerhead while snorkeling, you can contribute to the catalogue by emailing loggerheadproject@gmail.com.

Albert

Named by Frazer in 2015, is a "slippery old fella" who’s managed to avoid becoming a tiger shark’s meal for the past 20 years. Easily recognized by the missing part of his left flipper—likely the result of a close encounter with a tiger shark—Albert is a well-known local celebrity, loved by both locals and visitors alike.

Albert has specific feeding patches, where we find him rummaging for food. In the summer months he's a little less reliable as he's often off trying to woo the ladies.

Loggerhead Turtle foraging for food in Coral Bay, ningaloo

Steve

Steve is a calm and slow-moving Loggerhead turtle, nearly as large as Albert. He lost his right flipper, likely due to a tiger shark encounter, but it hasn’t gotten him down.

Steve isn’t bothered by us. He simply enjoys his time feeding in Coral Bay’s waters.

Loggerhead Turtle AK, Ningaloo Marine Interactions Boat and Snorkelling Tour

AK (Killer)

AK, known for his feisty nature, lost his right flipper due to a near miss with a tiger shark. Even though he's smaller and skinnier than Albert and Steve, AK has a bold personality and isn’t afraid to assert his space—often telling others to "back off" when needed.

Before the official Loggerhead catalogue was established, a local loggerhead was known as "Killer" by skippers for sneaking up on photographers and asserting his dominance. We believe this was likely AK in his younger, more mischievous days.