If you have ever wished you could dive the Navy Pier in Exmouth, Australia has some good news for you. Once closed to all but a single charter company, the famous Navy Pier is now open to all certified charter companies in the area – which means that you can now enjoy the spectacular array of underwater life, including whale sharks, rays, dolphins, and sea turtles at this incredible site.
The History of Navy Pier
In 1967, the United States Navy set up a communications base for its ships in the small Australian community of Exmouth. Part of that communications base is an incredible structure: The T shaped Navy pier. Though the US military left in 1990 and the Australian Navy now operates the communications base, it still serves as a communications link for both Navies.
Whale Sharks
Navy Pier is famed for its abundance of sea life, including the gentle, giant whale sharks that inhabit the surrounding area between April and July. These filter feeding fish are the largest recorded fish species, and can grow to an amazing length of over twelve meters, or more than forty feet. They love the area of Ningaloo, thanks to the abundant plankton. Some divers have reported seeing whale sharks up close at Navy Pier, while more reports place them just a bit further out into the reaches of Ningaloo reef and beyond.
Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are abundant in the area, and use Ningaloo reef as a safe haven. Green sea turtles, Giant Loggerheads, and beautiful Hawksbill turtles have traveled the hundreds or thousands of kilometers from other locations to Ningaloo for centuries. Though some still hunt these creatures, their mating grounds and nesting areas are protected. Fortunately, it is possible to view them without disturbing their habitat or causing them to feel too uncomfortable to pair successfully.
Some turtles do inhabit the area year round, although they start to nest in November. Hatchling turtles begin to emerge sometime during January, and though they are adorable, there are hefty fines for tampering with them.
Fish and Whales
The Ningaloo Reef and Navy Pier are home to over five hundred documented species of fish, including colorful Clown Fish, lovely Angelfish, Firefish, Moorish Idols, and schools of Barracuda, Snapper, and Trevally. The Navy Pier is also home to massive Queensland Grouper, Eels, and countless others.
Humpback whales are prolific in the waters just off Exmouth. In fact, they are so common that some fishermen feel that they are a hazard! Whether you spot the leviathans from shore, or get up close and personal, you’ll see the most whales between July and November.
Getting To Navy Pier
Exmouth is located just a little north of the Tropic of Cancer, and is nearly 1,300 km from Perth. Fortunately, you can access this beautiful, remote Western Australian location via air, or you can choose to make the journey via automobile or bus.
Plan your trip in advance, and choose your charter carefully. Some of the best charters offer lessons and night dives, as well as more extended trips to the further reaches of Ningaloo Reef. The climate in this part of Western Australia is tropical, so you could feasibly enjoy diving the Navy Pier almost any time of year.
Dive masters can take you in to dive from shore, where you can experience a live, aquarium-like experience or you can choose to ride out in a boat. Either way, you are certain to enjoy a wealth of marine life, on one of the best and most unforgettable dives of a lifetime.