On the Western coast of Australia, the largest reef system is found in the Ningaloo Reef. It is located very close to the continental shelf.  This is a fringing reef which is 260km length in length. The Ningaloo reef protects a shallow lagoon, with picture perfect white beaches and clear tropical waters. Visitors can enjoy the sight of the reef, simply by walking off the beach.
Another distinction of the Ningaloo reef is that it is the only major coral reef system situated on the west coast of any continent. Due to its unique positioning, the reef is home to a wide variety of sea life.  It includes 500 different types of fish, more than 250 corals and 600 types of molluscs. The Ningaloo reef and Shark Bay region boasts of Shell Beach, a beach made of sea shells.
The depth of water in a major portion of the bay is less than 15 metres. The bay boasts of more than 4000 square kilometers of seagrass meadows.  The Wooramel Seagrass Bank stands apart for being the largest seagrass meadow, apart from another distinction of possessing the most species of seagrass in the world.
This region is also a protected marine park. There are 220 coral species and more than 500 species of tropical fish in the Ningaloo Reef. It includes soft and hard corals, sea snakes, whales, manta rays, turtles and sharks.  The shallow waters make it possible for visitors to walk into the water and watch as fishes of different colours swim and feed in the lagoon.