itinerary

RISE with the sun for self-guided morning rituals

PACK your fins, we’re going swimming!

SNACKS on board the boat

LAGOON snorkel with entrancing fish

LUNCH between swims

WHALE shark seeking

FREE TIME to get an early night, grab dinner or go for a starry night walk

a letter from brinkley

Brinkley here, it has been a whirlwind this last year, with so many bumps in the road during this pandemic, which I am sure we can all relate to. Australia is truly a magical place, we are so lucky to call it home, and have the freedom to see and appreciate our own backyard like never before. 

I haven’t ever hosted a trip within Australia, but knowing the challenges people have faced, the international travel ban, and the hunger for adventure, I figured now was the time to launch a short, but sweet, absolute bucket-list few days on the Ningaloo Reef where I call home. The whale sharks are here, as are the manta-rays, the blue water, and the wild Indian Ocean that I have spent the last decade exploring. 

My passions lie within this region, protecting it, educating people about the marine environment, and also giving insight into the world of free-diving and being comfortable alongside some of the oceans most beautiful animals. 

We are so lucky to have a spot that is wild, rugged, raw, and full of surprises on the ocean, its an adventure you won’t forget.

This 4 day trip will include a full day on the northern Ningaloo searching for Whale Sharks and exploring the lagoon, a full day on the Ningaloo out of Coral Bay to see Manta Rays, delicious plant-based food, an introduction to free diving workshop, a yoga and breath work class, and a whole lot of good vibes. 

Can’t wait to have you on board!

Brinkley x

meet your host

Brinkley Davies is one of the most impressive people we’ve come to know. We’d need more than a paragraph to list everything the multi-hyphenate creative does in her day-to-day. Surfer, free diver, conservationist, photographer, designer, marine biologist… Brinkley is one of the busiest people around! Brinkley’s been surfing since the age of four, and it’s this early introduction to water that she credits with fostering a love of the ocean from such a young age. She is the CEO and founder of the Balu Blue Foundation, a not-for-profit devoted to the conservation of land and marine environments. You can follow Brinkley on her Instagram @brinkleydavies, or learn more about her work on www.brinkleydavies.com

location

We are staying in modern and well-appointed apartments in Exmouth. They are self-contained with their own kitchen facilities. The location is in the heart of town, walking distance to the beach and to cafes and restaurants. There is a mix of two bedroom apartments. You will be sharing the apartments with your fellow travellers. You only have to choose whether you want your own private queen bed room or are happy to twin-share with another traveller, and two prices are available for this.

Accommodation and activities for this year’s whale shark season in Ningaloo are pretty well fully booked for 2021, so this is a rare chance to have all the logistics and bookings sorted for you. Unlike any other reef in Australia, Ningaloo is renowned for its incredible biodiversity that remains in good health to this day. It’s one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world, meaning you can literally step off the beach and delve right into this underwater paradise. Seen from the sky, Ningaloo Reef presents a stunning aerial tapestry of ochre red hemmed by turquoise blue. We’ll be visiting Ningaloo Reef in July, a time when the region’s spotted stars, the whale shark, come out to feast on krill and plankton after the yearly coral spawn. These aquatic leviathans may seem menacing but are in fact entirely harmless – tiny krill are their choice of prey. 

inclusions:

• full day whale shark experience in exmouth

• full day manta ray experience in coral bay

• yin yoga class

• breathwork and freedive talk by brinkley

• all meals as listed in itinerary

• transport to and from activities on day two and day three

exclusions:

• flights

• transport to and from exmouth

• alcohol

faq’s

How do I get there?

Getting to the Coral Coast is easy. If you choose to drive, Exmouth (the town centre where we’ll be staying), is about a 13-hour trip from Perth. The drive is wonderfully scenic, taking you through changing landscapes and past the Tropic of Capricorn! Qantas is the only airline that flies into Exmouth from Perth. There is a regular bus charter that meets every flight at Learmonth Airport, and can take you direct to your accommodation for a small additional fee.

Can I come solo or with friend or a partner?

Both! Solo travellers will immediately connect with the group under the warm stewardship of Brinkley, and friends will likewise have a great time connecting with the group. if you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. if you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at operations@aweventurer.com and we will contact you with further details.

When should I book my flights?

We need to reach a minimum trip number to confirm this departure, so please hold off on booking flights until we send you a welcome email that confirms departure.

What do I pack?

Temperatures are very moderate in this part of the world, with average temperatures ranging from 11ºC at night to 24ºC during the day. We recommend packing something light but warm to throw on in the evenings when it cools down a little. Other than this, bring everything you need for a reef escape – swimmers, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and any other sun-protective gear you may need.

The apartments will have linen and bath towels. You will need to pack your own toiletries and beach towel. Whilst the accommodation is located close to town with shops and general stores, they may not carry everything you may need, and expect prices to be higher here.

Do I bring my own equipment?

All masks, fins, snorkels and wet suits will be provided by us. However, if you have your own personal kit, please pack that. It will be of a higher quality than the rented equipment we use. Please bring any other gear you may need, such as a camera, go pro, or DSLR to capture the beautiful sights we will be experiencing!

I have no experience in snorkelling – can I still come?

The trip is open to all levels, and beginners to advanced will feel safe and looked after.

Will I have downtime?

While we do have lots of things planned, there will be time a small slither of time to chill - namely night two and each daily sunrise (the morning rituals are optional of course!).

Is it COVID safe?

We will be watching the border and health situation very closely. Rest assured that if COVID impacts the majority of travellers we will postpone to a later date. If that isn’t feasible, we will offer partial refunds (the deposit is non-refundable).

How do I pay to confirm my place?

You have two options: pay in full or pay the $550 deposit. if you pay the deposit, we will require payment in full 25 days prior to the trip start date.

Any further questions?

Hit us up anytime at operations@aweventurer.com