One of our staff enjoyed a microlight flight over Ningaloo Reef which flew over our safari camp – Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef.  Our 9 luxury safari tents – the only accommodation in the Cape Range National Park are located in the heart of the World Heritage Area: the Ningaloo coast.     

Microlight flights are available from Exmouth with Bird’s Eye View 

American family Pam, John and daughter Amber booked a half day fishing charter aboard the Sal Salis fishing boat ‘Sal Canis’ and along with charter guides, Murray Pattison and Jimmy Braund, they headed out on the ‘West Side’ along Ningaloo Reef.  “It was a beautiful day with not much swell or wind and we could see for miles.  We found some striped tuna surface feeding on a shoal of really small larval baitfish, so small in-fact that they were see-through”, said Murray.  This meant that the tuna were really hard to catch because we did not have any lures small enough and also able to cast.  After some persistent casting, John finally hooked into a medium size tuna that gave him a fairly decent run for his money.

Murray decided on a change of tactics and location and headed out just past the south passage in the hope of finding some Spanish mackerel.  We put out two Halco deep divers while Jimmy rigged one of his famous gar fish and we were set to go.  The lines had not been in the water long when that beautiful sound of a screaming drag got everyone back on their feet!  Unfortunately we lost this fish so the lines were put back out and we returned to the waiting game.  Soon after that the second of the deep-divers got absolutely smashed and the line was peeling out at a rapid rate off the little spin outfit.  Amber was on and after a lot of coaching from her dad and encouragement from the rest of the team, Amber had her Spaniard swimming nicely alongside the boat.  We got it up into the boat for some photos and then sent him on his way.

Soon after that and Pam hooked into a Yellowfin Tuna which was followed all the way back to the boat by a big shark!  We figured the tuna was mighty pleased about its short stay aboard the ‘Sal Canis’ the photo opportunity and then back into the water to fight another day!

A really good day in all and Pam, John and Amber were pretty stoked – we also managed to show them lots of humpback whales, turtles and a manta ray.  Smiles and back slapping all round and then it was back to the mooring for a well deserved sundowner and a pretty spectacular sunset.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef was honoured to receive the Gourmet Traveller 2011 award for Best Sustainable Tourism Venture.  Over the last 5 years the Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards have recognised Australia’s most outstanding destinations and tourist operators who are dedicated to showcasing Australia’s best assets to the world.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef has been developed in line with strict guidelines set down by the Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation.  All structures are built on platforms above the ground, which minimises impact on the environment; all power is solar generated and water usage is minimal.  Sal Salis’ team of experienced field guides bring a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for the environment during the activities that they run for guests, while the camp’s lodge team ensure that the ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ touches are not forgotten in an immersive yet supremely comfortable stay in the bush.

In addition to this award Sal Salis also received the runner up award for Best Adventure Tourism in the reader’s choice award. 

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The nine luxury safari tents of Sal Salis – the only accommodation in the Cape Range National Park adjacent to Ningaloo Reef – is located in the heart of the newest World Heritage Area:  the Ningaloo Coast, which was announced in Paris on Friday, June 24.

Over 600,000 hectares have been incorporated in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, including Ningaloo Reef itself and the Cape Range National Park.  The listing officially recognised:

• the aesthetically striking coastal and terrestrial environment of Ningaloo Reef adjacent to Cape Range
• the lush and colourful underwater scenery and its contrast with the arid and rugged land
• the annual aggregation of whale sharks, one of the largest in the world
• the important aggregations and diversity of other fish species, marine turtles and marine mammals
• the rare and diverse subterranean creatures
• the diversity of reptiles and vascular plants in the dry lands

Whale sharks frequent Ningaloo Reef between March and August each year – and snorkelling alongside the world’s largest fish is one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences.

Book your whale shark experience with Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef today!

For avid bird watchers, this quaint bird hide is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Mangrove Bay is in the Cape Range National Park, and is just a short drive away from the Sal Salis camp.  The tranquil environment and well camouflaged shelter allow the observer to watch wildlife and especially birds at close quarters. There is a vast variety of birdlife ranging from Peilicans, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Eastern Reef Egrets, Heron and Whistling Kites.

The extensive mangrove root system acts as a nursery habitat for juvenile fish seeking refuge. Mullet and Mangrove Red Snapper are the most common species here, and can often be seen and heard splashing around. Pictured below is a Mangrove Crab taking shelter in the mangroves at low tide.