Shark Bay is one of the most diverse underwater habitats in the world with dolphins, dugongs and hundreds of fish species to dive with.
| Inserted/Added by: | lars, © Author: Lars Hemel |
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Shark Bay is a huge bay about 900km north of Perth known for its biodiversity, both in flora as in fauna, and its enormous amounts of dolphins and dugongs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place with large meadows of sea grass, the stromatolites (nicknamed living fossils) and five endangered mammal species. Shark divers will be disappointed; although it is not uncommon to see reef sharks and nurse sharks, the bay is not filled with them. Monkey Mia, Nanga and Denham are the most popular towns situated inside the Francois Peron National Park and forming the inner bay peninsula of Shark Bay. Edel Land, the second peninsula is closed by Dirk Hartog Island, Dorre Island and Bernier Island, all three limestone islands with sand dunes. Dirk Hartog Island is of historic importance because a plate of its discoverer has been placed at its northern tip at Inscription Point, Cape Inscription. Dorre and Bernier Island are used for releasing threatened species which are bred by Project Eden. The natural beauty is stunning with tidal flats, mangroves, low-lying plains, red sand hills and steep cliffs.
Other interesting trips include a visit to the wooden boardwalk of the Hamelin Pool, one of the few places in the world where you can see how the microscopic organisms stromatolites are formed. Monkey Mia is a popular place where dolphins are regularly fed and where they keep returning and show their tricks to the crowds. The Francois Peron National Park offers stunning tracks on red and white sand dunes ending at the views of Skipjack Point. Other activities include the Wulyibidi Yaninyina Trail, black pearl farms, turquoise lagoons, Ocean Park Aquarium and the desolated mining town Useless Loop. More remarkable places include Shell Beach, Steep Point and Faure Island.
Shark Bay Marine National Park, with its enormous flats of sea grass (Wooramel Sea grass Bank) and its uncountable species is one of the top snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. This shallow bay is filled with marine life including nudibranchs, hermit crabs, dugongs and dolphins. One of the most famous wrecks in Australia is the historic shipwreck the Gudrun. It has been rediscovered in 1989, holds many artifacts and has been a haven for fish. There are plenty of cruise operators, boat trips, snorkeling tours, glass bottomed boats and swimming opportunities to explore this biologically important immense vast area of water.
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