Coral Bay fishing spots
Coral Bay is a small holiday town inside Ningaloo Marine Park, where the reef lagoon starts at the beach. Bills Bay in front of town is a sanctuary zone, so shore anglers use the marked shore-based zone and the beaches north and south, while boats run out through the reef passages for spangled emperor, coral trout, mackerel and billfish.
Updated
4 spots here: 3 fished from land and 1 reached only by boat, plus 1 public boat ramp. Seasons follow our Gascoyne coast species list for Western Australia. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Fished from | Water | Marine park |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Monck Head (boat ramp shore zone) | Rocks | Land-based | Bay, estuary or river | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
| 2. Mauds Landing | Beach | Land-based | Bay, estuary or river | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
| 3. Five Finger Reef | Rocks | Land-based | Bay, estuary or river | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
| 4. Yalobia Passage (offshore boat) | Channel | Boat | Offshore | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
1. Monck Head (boat ramp shore zone)
- Type
- Rocks · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based. Beside the Coral Bay boat ramp and maritime facility.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: spangled emperor, trevally and queenfish.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Easterlies (offshore); usually calmest in the morning. Faces W.
- Note
- Shore-based zone: line fishing from the shore only, into the narrow strip of water along the rocks. Work baits and lures off the rocks near the ramp for emperor and trevally. Keep clear of launching boats; no fish cleaning at the facility.
- Safety
- Slippery rocks and boat traffic around the ramp.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Maud special purpose (shore-based) zone, a strip about 100 m wide along the shore: line fishing from the shore only. The Maud Sanctuary Zone lies just beyond it, about 130 m offshore, and reaches the shore about 1.3 km north in Bills Bay: no fishing Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -23.15840, 113.76530 · Open in Google Maps (position: Monck Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
2. Mauds Landing
- Type
- Beach · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based. 2WD to the car park, then walk; 4WD onto soft sand heading north (lower tyre pressures).
- What's good here
- Peak in October: trevally and spangled emperor. Also in season: tailor, mulloway and Spanish mackerel.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Easterlies and southerlies; reef-sheltered and usually calm. Faces WNW.
- Note
- Reef-sheltered beach north of town, best from sundown into dark for tailor, mulloway, trevally and reef fish, with mackerel at times. Fish north of the yellow markers.
- Safety
- Turtles nest here over summer: keep well back and avoid bright lights. Soft sand: carry recovery gear.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Recreation zone to the north; the Maud Sanctuary Zone boundary (large yellow markers) meets the shore about 500 m south-west, around Point Maud Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -23.11870, 113.76720 · Open in Google Maps (position: Mauds Landing, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
3. Five Finger Reef
- Type
- Rocks · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based. 4WD track from the hilltop above the boat ramp.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: spangled emperor, trevally and queenfish.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Easterlies (offshore). Faces WSW.
- Note
- Reef edge south of town in the recreation zone: cast baits or lures into the gutters for emperor, trevally and queenfish.
- Safety
- Sharp reef and surge: wear reef shoes.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Recreation zone; the shore-based zone and Maud Sanctuary Zone are about 700 m north Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -23.18000, 113.76280 · Open in Google Maps (position: Five Finger Reef, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
4. Yalobia Passage (offshore boat)
- Type
- Channel · offshore (boat)
- Access
- Boat. Launch at the Coral Bay ramp; 5-knot area and 1.2 m draft limit near the facility, then 8 knots in the channel.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: spangled emperor, sailfish, marlin and trevally. Also in season: coral trout, red emperor and Spanish mackerel.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Light easterlies and morning calms; swell breaks across the passages.
- Note
- Reef passage south of town to the outer reef: bottom-bounce for emperor and trout, troll the drop-off for mackerel and billfish. Stay out of sanctuary zones and the Authorised Vessels Only Area.
- Safety
- Seas can break over the passages in moderate swell. EPIRB and marine radio offshore.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Recreation zone at the passage; Maud Sanctuary Zone about 3 km north; the Commonwealth Ningaloo Marine Park lies further offshore Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -23.20010, 113.75640 · Open in Google Maps (position: Yalobia Passage, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
Boat ramps
1 public boat ramp is listed for Coral Bay, with positions from Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033). Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.
| Ramp | Notes | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Bay boat ramp | Sealed, 2 lanes, 3 finger jetties, about 100 trailer bays. 5-knot restricted area: no anchoring and no fish cleaning near the facility; use the town cleaning tables on Robinson Street. | -23.15534, 113.76651 Google Maps |
What's biting here in October?
In peak season at Coral Bay in October: trevally, spangled emperor, queenfish, sailfish and 7 more. Of the 27 species our Gascoyne coast list has for this part of the coast, 11 peak in October 2026 and 13 more are in season.
Peak in October: trevally, spangled emperor, queenfish, sailfish, marlin, estuary cod, whiting, longtail tuna, cobia, mud crab and squid.
Also in season: Spanish mackerel, coral trout, red emperor, tailor, mulloway, mangrove jack, pikey bream, western yellowfin bream, school mackerel, goldband snapper, Rankin cod, pink snapper and blue swimmer crab.
Seen now and then, so not rated: barramundi, king threadfin and golden snapper.
Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: Western Australia's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.
Can you fish here? Rules and safety
No licence for shore-based line fishing. Any fishing from a powered boat (incl. crabbing, squid, catch and release) needs a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence: $40/yr, half price concession incl. under 16 (DPIRD, Oct 2026). Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Western Australia's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Rules at Coral Bay
- Ningaloo Marine Park: no fishing in sanctuary zones; shore-based zones allow line fishing from the shore only (no boats, spears or collecting); benthic protection zones allow trolling only.
- Coral Bay restricted boating area: 5 knots, 1.2 m draft limit, no anchoring or fish processing; no fishing from jetties where it gets in the way of vessels; Authorised Vessels Only Area off Bills Bay.
- No spearfishing with compressed air, or for wrasse, tuskfish, baldchin, cods or coral trout, in state waters.
- Powered boats need a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence; Gascoyne demersal bag is 4 per person from 1 Jun 2026.
Marine parks and no-take zones
The zone notes here name Ningaloo Marine Park. A no-take zone starts close to Monck Head (boat ramp shore zone), Mauds Landing, Five Finger Reef and Yalobia Passage (offshore boat): each one's zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.
Safety at Coral Bay
- Irukandji stings occur along Ningaloo, mainly in the north; larger irukandji-type jellyfish have been seen as far south as Coral Bay.
- Remote and hot: carry water and tell someone your plans; mobile coverage is patchy outside town.
- Offshore: swell breaks on the reef and in the passages; know your exit route.
- Marine stingers (box jellyfish and irukandji) can be in these waters, mostly in the warmer months: cover up if you wade or swim, and carry vinegar. More.
Western Australia: official links
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: WA coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.
Boating: Western Australia boating safety and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Powered boats <4.8m: everyone wears L100+ when >400m offshore in unprotected waters. >=4.8m there: children 1-12 wear L100+. PWC: always. Paddle craft <4.8m: wear L50S+ >400m offshore.
Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue WA (Volunteer Marine Rescue Service, DFES). Log on and off by marine radio with the local marine rescue group every trip, or use the Log on Log off (LOLO) feature in the DECKEE app, which notifies Marine Rescue WA.
Marine parks and closed areas: DPIRD - marine protected areas and fishing, WA recreational fishing rules site (interactive MPA maps) and Australian Marine Parks (North-west and South-west networks).
- Water Police HF watch: Water Police monitor HF 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz 24/7; VHF 16/67 Perth metro only. More.
Western Australia's official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.
Nearby fishing areas
- Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf (about 138 km north)
- Carnarvon (about 194 km south)
- Onslow and Mackerel Islands (about 218 km north-east)
- Shark Bay and Denham (about 310 km south)
Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in Western Australia · all fishing spot guides.
Sources and checked dates
- Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033) (Western Australian Department of Transport), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
- Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
- Research sources: catalogue.data.wa.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, lanes, finger jetties and trailer bays (WA DoT Public Boat Ramps DOT-033, CC BY 4.0)); public-services.slip.wa.gov.au (DPIRD Fisheries Guide polygons (DPIRD-061): every spot was tested against sanctuary, fishing-prohibition and FHPA areas); public-services.slip.wa.gov.au (DBCA Legislated Lands and Waters (DBCA-011): which marine park each spot sits in); exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au (Ningaloo zone guide and activity table, sanctuary markers, Coral Bay irukandji note, fish species); exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au (Ningaloo coast zoning map); pilbaranews.com.au (Irukandji stings at Exmouth and northern Ningaloo; larger jellyfish seen to Coral Bay (2017)); transport.wa.gov.au (Coral Bay restricted boating area, draft, anchoring, fish-cleaning and jetty rules); 4wdingaustralia.com (Mauds Landing species and access, Five Finger Reef track, rock fishing near the ramp); dpird.wa.gov.au (Ningaloo spearfishing restrictions); wa.gov.au (Legal wording of the shore-based zone exemption).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.