Lakeside

Lakeside Sanctuary is a calm, shore-access snorkel and shallow dive site within Cape Range National Park, located near the Milyering Visitor Centre about 52 kilometres from Exmouth.

Overview

Lakeside sits inside the Ningaloo Marine Park sanctuary zone and is consistently described as one of the more beginner-friendly sites along the western cape. The site features a series of large coral bommies set in clear, shallow water metres from the beach, protected from significant tidal current. Depths are very shallow — typically 1–3 metres — making it a snorkel-focused site, though it is listed by some dive guides for introductory scuba.

Confirmed marine life at Lakeside includes sea turtles, rays, reef sharks, octopus, and large grouper between the coral formations, along with abundant tropical reef fish. A resident dugong has been reported in the area. The site is notably less crowded than nearby Turquoise Bay and Oyster Stacks.

Access involves a 10–15 minute walk along the beach from the Milyering Visitor Centre car park to the four large yellow sanctuary zone markers. Snorkelling is recommended within the marked zone. Conditions are generally calm year-round, though visibility drops on windy days.

Site Information

• Location: Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia (~52km from Exmouth, near Milyering Visitor Centre)
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 3 meters
• Access: 10–15 minute beach walk to sanctuary markers; no 4WD required

Sources: The Life of Py — Lakeside Sanctuary, Snorkel Spots — Lakeside Sanctuary Zone, Drink Tea Travel — Ningaloo Guide. Last updated 2026-06-18.