Sal Salis
Ningaloo Reef - Western Australia
Why we love it
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is an exclusive beach safari camp nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth in Western Australia.
Fill your days however you choose, relax in your tent’s hammock and watch the world go by, or laze on the beach and paddle in the warm Indian Ocean waters. The most popular experiences are in the water, at Ningaloo Reef you can swim alongside the majestic whale sharks and the magnificent humpback whales.
Right off the shores of our camp, you will have access to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef where you will find more than 500 species of colourful fish, 250 coral species, rays and turtles. The guides want you to fall in love with this little patch of paradise and will tailor activities to suit the weather and tides. Let them take you into the rugged landscapes of the Cape Range National Park and introduce you to Australia’s unique flora and fauna. You’ll spot red kangaroos, wallaroos, rock wallabies, goannas, echidnas and more than 100 bird species of all the colours of the rainbow.
Food
Food at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is taken very seriously. Their resident chef prepares a contemporary and delicious menu daily featuring seasonal, local produce and hints of bush food and local, fresh fish. They aim to support the local producers so you will find excellent Western Australian wines on the drink’s menu, alongside other regional wine, beers, spirits and a wide selection of soft drinks and juices.
Meals are shared with your fellow guests and are served at the lodge or on the deck.
A hot breakfast is accompanied by fresh fruit, cereal and a selection of bread or pastries with condiments, followed by lunch later in the day.
Around sunset, canapés are served, which you can enjoy with a glass of wine whilst the guides brief you on the next day’s activities. Dinner is the real foodie highlight – each night you will enjoy a three-course meal, carefully created and brought to the table out of a simple camp kitchen!
Destination
Ningaloo Reef is a fringing coral reef located off the west coast of Australia, approximately 1200 km north of Perth. The reef is 260 km long and is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef. In 1987 the reef and surrounding waters were designated as the Ningaloo Marine Park, and while the waters of the park are known for the seasonal feeding concentrations of the whale shark, the area is also visited by a range of whale and dolphin species. Humpback whales migrate through the Marine Park from May to October each year. Ningaloo is also visited by dwarf minke whales, orcas, pygmy blue whales, Bryde’s whales, Australian humpback dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins and southern right whales.
Experiences
Sal Salis activities focus on the reef and our pristine natural surrounds. Your stay may include, sea kayaking to some of our secret spots on the reef where you will see huge schools of fish, reef sharks and coral formations, a drift snorkel just a few metres offshore (all snorkelling gear is provided), wildlife and bird spotting and guided gorge walks at Mandu Mandu Gorge.
There is no need to pre-book these itineraries, each day is mapped out by the guides to consider the weather and the tide.
Accommodation
Each of the fifteen eco-luxe wilderness tents offers views of the surrounding bush and over the Indian Ocean and the fringing Ningaloo Reef.
Your safari style tent is the ultimate in bush luxury. Wake to the song of a butcher bird, the raucous squawks of a galah or the thump of a wallaroo passing by. At night fall asleep to the sound of the waves on the beach and under a blanket of hundreds of thousands of stars.
Getting there
Sal Salis is located on the North West Cape of Western Australia; it is an hour’s drive (70 kms) from Exmouth. Qantas fly daily to Exmouth with connections from most capital cities.
Air and road transfers are available from Exmouth Airport and must be pre-booked. Guests can self-drive to the camp; from Perth, it is 1330 kms/13+ hours. The drive from Exmouth Airport is 90 minutes and from Exmouth town it is 1 hour.
