Osprey Bay is a sheltered, 2WD-accessible campground beach near the southern end of Cape Range National Park, and a quieter snorkel than Turquoise Bay. Guides describe minimal current, a short swim to the reef, and an abundance of marine life, with around eight resident sea turtles that are frequently seen feeding in the bay.

The reef is typical lagoon coral with sand channels, holding tropical reef fish and large crayfish in the ledges. Neighbouring Sandy Bay is similarly calm and shallow. The Osprey Sanctuary Zone further offshore is accessible by kayak.

It suits families and less confident snorkellers, and anyone camping at the southern end of the park.

Planning a Cape Range day: the national park's lagoon sites stretch about 50 km along Yardie Creek Road from Tantabiddi to Osprey and Sandy Bay, all within the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast. The reef crest sits a few hundred metres to a couple of kilometres offshore, enclosing a lagoon of sand, seagrass and coral bommies, and a series of sanctuary zones (look but don't take) protect the best-known snorkel areas. There are no shops, fuel or air fills in the park, so bring water, food, sun protection and reef shoes from Exmouth. The Milyering Discovery Centre has current information on conditions and zones. Mornings are usually calmer, clearer and cooler than afternoons, and checking the tide chart is essential for the shallower sites.

Planning notes: this is primarily a snorkelling site. Expect to spend most of the dive around 3 m, with a maximum of about 5 m. It is a shore-access site that can be visited independently when conditions suit. Best season: Year-round in calm weather; April–October for comfort. Traffic: very popular (dived daily).

Drive into Cape Range National Park via Yardie Creek Road (park fee), about 80 km from Exmouth, to Osprey Bay campground (2WD accessible). Enter from the beach; the reef begins 25–100 m out. Kayakers can reach the Osprey Sanctuary Zone reef about 1 km offshore.

Osprey Bay is one of the southernmost campgrounds in Cape Range; bring all supplies from Exmouth as there are no shops, fuel or air in the park. Allow about an hour each way from town.

Cape Range lagoon sites are protected by the reef crest, but a south-westerly swell pumps water over the reef and out through the gaps, strengthening currents in the lagoon, particularly on a high tide and big swell. The afternoon south to south-westerly sea breeze (often 15–25 knots from spring to autumn) makes the water choppy and reduces visibility, so mornings are best. Summer air temperatures exceed 40 °C; cyclone season is November–April.

Irukandji and other stinging jellyfish occur mainly in the warmer months and autumn. Visibility in the lagoon is usually 5–15 m.

Snorkel site. Enter from the beach, swim out to the reef and snorkel parallel to the shore watching for turtles, returning to the entry point.

Independent shore snorkel; no operator needed. Exmouth dive shops hire snorkel gear and some tour companies include lagoon snorkels on Cape Range day trips.