Keep to the southern end when snorkelling; the northern end (Skeleton Bay) is a breeding ground for reef sharks.

Walk 500m south from Bill's Bay along the coast until the 8km/h marker, then drift with the current back to the bay. Hire snorkel gear anywhere in town.

Various length kayak tours with snorkelling are available from the main beach. You can also hire a glass-bottom canoe ($25 per hour), wetsuit and snorkelling gear ($15 per day).

This PADI and eco-certified dive crew offers snorkelling with whale sharks ($390, late March to July) and manta rays ($140, all year), half-day reef dives ($180) and a full range of dive courses (from $450).

Informative and sustainably run tours to the outer reef include two-hour whale watching, half-day manta-ray interaction and full-day wildlife spotting with snorkelling.

An easy walk from town, this beach is popular with kiteboarders when an easterly is blowing.

Good water-bird viewing here and at the golf course next door.

These short, beautiful beach rides along Exmouth Gulf are suitable for all skill levels and ages.

In the shadow of the VLF antenna array, and within cycling range of Exmouth (it's 14km north), the calm, sheltered waters of Bundegi Beach and accompanying reef provide pleasant swimming, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and fishing.

Follow the signpost from Yardie Creek Rd to find the 1907 cattle ship that ran aground on the reef.

It's hard to miss this hilltop lighthouse built in 1912. Spectacular views of the entire cape make it a great place for watching whales and sunsets.

Clothing-optional beach near Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Point Murat, named after Napoleon's brother-in-law, is home to one of the world's best shore dives, under the Navy Pier. There's a fantastic array of marine life including nudibranchs, scorpion fish, moray eels and reef sharks. As it's on Defence territory, you'll need to join a tour and the exclusive licence rotates regularly among Exmouth dive shops.

Visit by day (free entry) to study turtle life cycles, and obtain the DPaW pamphlet Marine Turtles in Ningaloo Marine Park. Return at night to observe nesting turtles and hatchlings (November to March), remembering to keep the correct distance and never to shine a light or camera flash directly at any animal.

The best and ecologically safest way to encounter nesting turtles is on a DPaW guided night tour. Book at Exmouth Visitors Centre.

Learn to kitesurf with this fun crew based out at Vlamingh Head.

On the east coast, an incredibly scenic and at times dramatic road ascends a knife-edge ridge via rickety corners, necessitating frequent stops to make the most of the breathtaking views. A rough track continues to Thomas Carter lookout, where (in the cooler months) you can walk the 8km Badjirrajirra loop trail through spinifex and rocky gullies; there's no shade or water. Under no circumstances attempt this during summer.

Spot migratory birds among the mangroves, or just wander out along the tidal flats.

A pleasant but dry 3km return walk onto the gorge rim.

Excellent views above a water-filled gorge on this easy 2km return walk.

A relaxing one-hour cruise up the short, sheer Yardie Creek Gorge where you might spot rare black-flanked rock wallabies.

A short stroll from the Millstream Chichester National Park visitor centre, beautiful lily and palm-fringed Jirndarwurrunha is strongly significant to the traditional Yindjibarndi owners. Swimming is not permitted.

Shady picnic tables and barbecues back onto a perfect swimming hole believed to be the resting place of the Warlu (creation serpent).

A 10-minute climb from the car park on the road to Roebourne reveals a fantastic view of the ragged Chichester Range.

This plunge pool is normally fine for swimming, though check for algal bloom before sliding in.

This palm-lined 7km walking trail (two hours return) featuring interpretive plaques by the traditional Yindjibarndi owners, links Crossing Pool and Milliyanha Campground.

Fit hikers might attempt the 8km Camel Trail linking Mt Herbert and Python Pool via McKenzie Spring. Allow three hours one way.

A short, sharp descent from near Dales Campground leads to Fortescue Falls, behind which a leafy stroll upstream reveals beautiful Fern Pool (Jubura; GOOGLE MAP ); head 1km downstream from Fortescue Falls to picturesque Circular Pool; ascend to Three Ways Lookout and return along the cliff top.

Wide, easy gorge with a small, tranquil pool and falls.

Joffre Falls (when not trickling) are spectacular but the frigid pools below are perennially shaded. There's a walking track to the falls from the Karijini Eco Retreat.

Descend from Knox Lookout to several nice, sunny swimming holes, fringed by native figs.

The upper gorge is dry, but the steep track winding down from the car park to the lower gorge narrows until you reach the perfect, surreal bowl of Handrail Pool.

The final 13km to the breathtaking Oxers Lookout can be rough, but it's worth it for the magnificent views of the junction of the Red, Weano, Joffre and Hancock Gorges some 130m below.

A steep descent (partly on ladders) brings the sunny Amphitheatre. Follow the slippery Spider Walk to sublime Kermits Pool.

Away in Karijini's northwest corner, this idyllic swimming hole and waterfall makes a pleasant stopover if you're heading north towards the coast or Millstream.

Gorged out? Go and grab some altitude on WA's second-highest mountain (1235m), a superb ridge walk with fantastic views all the way to the summit. Start early, carry lots of water and allow five hours (9km return). The access road is off Karijini Dr opposite the western end of Banyjima Dr.

More than a gallery, this leafy arts HQ is the centre of all goodness in Hedland. Inside are stunning local contemporary and Indigenous exhibitions, while the shady surrounds host sporadic craft markets. If something is happening, these folks will know about it.

Great new initiative showcasing Indigenous artists from Hedland and across the Pilbara. Call before visiting.

Watch ridiculously large tankers pass by. After dark, nearby Finucane Lookout provides a smouldering view into BHP Billiton's Hot Briquetted Iron plant.

A popular fishing and picnicking spot (beware of stonefish and backpackers), 7km east of the town centre.