Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

We never got to stay at Sal Salis because of cyclone Narelle but I just had to leave a review about the appalling way Sal Salis handled the cancellation. It was interesting to see other reviews mention that the experience had become 'corporate' (I know they have recently been taken over by a conglomerate) because that was our strong feeling too. We were in Exmouth when the cyclone hit and the aftermath was dreadful for local enterprises - both on a personal and professional basis. As tourists, we were (rightly) lower on their priority lists and yet every single hotel and experience in the area swiftly gave us full refunds. They were sorted out by people who lived and worked in the Exmouth area and whose lives were affected by the cyclone and yet every single one handled our situation in a friendly, polite, fast, professional way. We only had one problem securing a refund and that was with Sal Salis (or the Journey Beyond Co) whose admin and finance team are based in their corporate office 1000s of kms from the affected area. We had a voicemail to tell us our stay was cancelled and then all our subsequent messages were ignored (despite being allocated 'case numbers'). The only messages we received were corporate blanket emails congratulating us on being granted vouchers to stay at Sal Salis in the future (ie no refund)! We only got a refund weeks later by asking our credit card company to intervene and request a chargeback - even then they initially reduced the refund to try and take advantage of the exchange rate move vs GBP which had happened since I paid them thousands of dollars 12 months previously. I'm sure the team on the ground at Ningaloo Reef are great but cyclones are not uncommon in this area and so it's worth knowing how the corporate office in Adelaide is likely to react if you have any problems.

Our visit was cancelled a week prior to our visit as the hotel had to close down after Cyclone Narelle to repair damage. Totally understandable, however them refusing to refund our stay was not at all understandable. We were offered a voucher to return at a later date, which doesn't work given we live on a other continent and dont regularly make it to Aus. Beware!

I waited to write this review and spoke at length with my family about it. Unfortunately this hotel does not stand up to the test. It seems as if it’s just resting on its laurels. As if there’s been no real investment for a couple of years. There’s nobody running the shop, at least I didn’t see it. The whole club-Meddy feel with obligatory seating and below par wines on offer (God forbid you’d like more, refills are hard to get). The food is below par although it’s vaunted as fine cuisine. The coral reef has been decimated by the heat wave (not the hotel’s fault) but they should mention it. This place needs some Money thrown at it and a real management team. I do not recommend.

Sal salis… what a beautiful place to stay, right on the blue waters of Ningaloo Reef. As a family of 3 we loved every moment of our 3 night stay here recently. The staff, accommodation, food, drinks, disconnect were all we dreamed of and more. We loved our snorkelling out the front after a beautiful breakfast and again after a yummy lunch. The food options were delicious including the canapes and special made cocktails at sunset hour. We slept the best we have in years in the comfiest bed. Every staff member did everything they could to ensure a happy stay. Already planning on returning ( hopefully for longer) in a few years.

Five Star? Sure, if your idea of five-star luxury includes ordering the weather, adjusting the wind like a dial, and soaking in bubble baths inside an air-conditioned suite—then this remote stretch of Western Australia might not be your kind of paradise. But Sal Salis, nestled on the Ningaloo Reef in Cape Range National Park, redefines what five-star truly means. It’s not about stars on a rating scale—it’s about the stars above your tent at night. It’s waking to a sea breeze and glimpsing the moon sharing the sky with Jupiter and Saturn. It’s drifting over coral gardens just steps from your hammock, watching humpback whales breach on the horizon. Five-Star Staff. The team at Sal Salis is what makes this place unforgettable. Young adventurers from around the world have found their rhythm here, united by a deep love for nature, marine life, and sustainable eco-tourism. They blend into the landscape like the resort itself—quiet, respectful, timeless. Among them are marine biologists, underwater photographers, Geelong supporters, and storytellers of the sea and sky. Experts in marine life, astronomy, geology, wildflowers, cocktails, and cuisine—they don’t lecture, they share. Their knowledge invites curiosity, sparking conversations that linger long after the sun sets. Our time at Sal Salis has far surpassed every expectation of a five-star holiday. From swimming alongside majestic Whale Sharks and Humpbacks, to hiking Cape Range at sunrise, sipping cocktails and enjoying canapés at sunset, and indulging in exquisite meals crafted from the day’s fresh catch — every moment has been unforgettable. I can’t wait to return to this extraordinary place.