Swim with turtles in Ningaloo Western Australia

Why? To take a dip with endangered species. Western Oz s Ningaloo Reef isn t as big as the Great Barrier on the opposite coast. But it s still comprises 250 types of coral and attracting 500 species of fish; best of all in parts it lays only 100m offshore making its underwater riches extremely accessible the snorkelling is superb too. Three of the world s seven species of marine turtles nest on beaches and islands near Ningaloo between November and April: green (listed as vulnerable) hawksbill (critically endangered) and loggerhead (the most endangered species). However turtles swim offshore year round their lumpen on land movements transformed into a graceful ballet once they re in the water. Good spots include Shark Bay the Muiron Islands and Turtle Bay on Dirk Hartog Island.