Shark Bay Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
bay of the Indian Ocean in Western Australia
About Shark Bay
Shark Bay is a large inlet on the west coast of Australia, separated from the Indian Ocean by the Carrarang Prong, Dirk Hartog Island, and Dorre and Bernier Islands. The bay is divided by the long Peron Peninsula: at its tip are the resort towns of Denham and Monkey Mia, and Francois Peron National Park. The inlet east of this peninsula is further partitioned by a long shallow sand bar: south of this are two hypersaline lagoons with unusual habitats. Australian Aboriginals have dwelt in this hot arid climate for at least 22,000 years; the bay was a desert plain until flooded by rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. The first European visitor was the Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog, who in 1616 landed on the island now named for him. He found nothing to interest the Dutch East India
Top Attractions in Shark Bay
Explore the best things to see and do in Shark Bay:
- ★Dirk Hartog Island
- ★Ocean Park Aquarium
- ★Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre
Where to Eat in Shark Bay
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Shark Bay Cafe
- 🍴The Old Pearler
Where to Stay in Shark Bay
- 🏨Blue Dolphin Caravan Park
- 🏨Denham Seaside Caravan Park
- 🏨Dirk Hartog Island Resort
- 🏨Heritage Resort Shark Bay
- 🏨Oceanside Village
- 🏨On the Deck
Shark Bay Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: