both have pros and cons. 

exxy has 3 ramps to choose from , in town , bundegi and tantabidi. there will be somewhere to fish depending on the winds but you will need to travel further for the ramps (depending on where you stay) and from limited experience to get to the good fishing. depends what your after of cause.

Coral bay has only 1 ramp that is protected with 2 passages to go out on. the south passage can be tricky in a reasonable swell and north passage is a bit further. however , cb is relativly flat ground and you need to use the sounder quite wel to find the fish but we have found ground in the 50 to 60 mtr range thats not too far out. if you want the day off from fishing and to just relax and go for a swim its not too far to walk. 

we have fished both and found it better in cb but others will say exxy. 

sharks can be a prob both locations. whichever one you chose you could always just do a day trip to head out in the other. not that far to go 

Being a peninsula there are far more options should wind blow. Gulf or Ningaloo.

 Exmouth,being first timer ,don't use bundegi.any swell or wind or a combination of both can be very dangerous.

 I agree on Exmouth, has a few more options in different wind conditions for first timers.

Good luck & enjoyy some of the best fishing grounds on the west coast. IMO...

Oh dont feed the sharks for too long before you move. Lol

 Depends what type of fishing you want to do.

If you want to fill your freezer bottom fishing and don’t mind haveing to put up with what ever conditions give you then Coral Bay is the go.

If you want to do more sport / game fishing Then Exy is the go. Also gives you options to fish different areas to match the weather.

But in saying that you can get a good feed in exy and Coral Bay dose offer good game fishing so won’t go wrong either way. My tip pick one for this trip and do the other next trip. Also make sure you read up on zones and safe passages before launching boat from either.

 Taking the family? Coral bay.  Boys trip, exie

 Coral Bay hands down, but seeing evryone is saying Exxy and it means one less boat in CB then Exxy 

THANKS ALL! looks like we wil be booking into exmouth, and prob do a few day trips to coral bay!

cheers for the advice!

Sea Force has provided a very good bit of advice for you, no matter where you go, read up and make sure you have a reasonable knowledge about the passages in and how weather affects them before you put to sea

 I’m heading up in June with a 465m trailcraft. Any advice on what Height swell should re consider when heading through south passage? I went up few years ago in a 4.2m tinny and passed through. Don’t remember what the conditions / swell was that day but I had to change my undies when I got back to the ramp haha

From about a 2m swell and outgoing tide you can start to get bigger sets closing out. But can be hard to tell sometimes until you are right there. But doesn't need to be breaking to get into trouble, they can stand right up and there can be a lot of water movement esp when tide running. If not sure don't push it just go out north. If we or any of the charter boats are there don't be afraid to ask. If it's a nice day you may even want to follow us out false... Or not.

 Thanks heaps for that piece of advice helps a lot. Disappointed could get on one of your charters as it is privately booked for the week I’m up. Managed to get on Mahi Mahi though