Coral bay about 11 hour drive from Perth. Never been to monkey Mia so not sure the time between the 2. Love coral bay and can't wait to be back there in July! What sortve advice were you after? Fishing related or just general?

where to stay etc 

 We just came back from coral bay, we tented it, but there are heaps of options. From the lowly swag on the floor to staying at a house or an appartment near the pub. Price change a fair bit. Tent site was 55 bucks a night in peak time with 4 of us staying at the peoples park. Full fresh water showers and bloody nice place too boot. The bay view is also nice but has bore water showers. The houses are from approx $1250 per week and up. 

Monkey Mia is also pretty nice but it's heaps closer than coral bay, about 300km closer from memory. The stay there isn't cheap,either and it's a long way from denham if you run out of stuff. I only ever stay at denham, but that dosnt mean that MM isn't nice. 

Fishing is great at both places but the crabs are awesome at monkey Mia. 

Is that far from Monkey Mia? we want to go snorkelling with the whale sharks, thats about the only reason for Monkey Mia.. 

Coral bay is where you will snorkel with the whale sharks. Monkey Mia is known for the dolphins coming into the shallows. I would probably go to Coral bay for the full nine days, the place is awsome for kids.

If you have not booked accomadation at Coral bay and you are looking at going during the School holidays, you may not get in, its normally booked out during these peak times.

going to give the school the shits and go the first week they are due back after easter holidays, only time we can get holidays together.  

 Mate, Denham is a great spot to use as a base, Monkey Mia is only a short 30km drive, heaps to do up there and you have the benefit of being able to move around to find areas sheltered from the wind.

I went up last year and stayed in villas, really liked Denham seaside village as It's right on the ocean and a really clean park. There is so much to do up there, I went up twice last year and still have not explored the area fully. If you have a boat or 4wd it opens the area right up.

fishing is good in both Monkey Mia and Denham, also some really nice snorkelling spots such as little lagoon.

You won't be disappointed with Denham, however Coral bay is also a great spot.

Have got a awd, Ford Kuga. which can go on medium soft sand.  have been through the track on the other side of the mandurah esturary, first time and shit myself buit was fun all the same.  might have to get something to inflate the tyres as i understand you need to let out some air if going on the beach???

Going to try and talk my missus out of monkey mia and spend the whole time in coral bay. 

 If you where thinking of Coral Bay for the end of April, your accom options may be a bit scarse.

Will be getting busy by then, whale sharks seem to be starting earlier each year and as soon as they start the people do too.

Will be plenty of camp sites available but rooms/houses may almost be full. You essentially get what you pay for in town in regards to accomadation.

The houses are prob the best value but you have to book week at a time and they book out fast.

Best to make some phone calls and see whats still available.

The Ford shoud be fine for most tracks around town, just be carfull on the beaches, they change all the time.

Just make sure tyres are around 18 pound, not only so you dont get stuck but to look after the tracks too.

They are all pretty dug up now after the holidays and the big 4wd's with hard tyres digging them up.

need to get a wriggle on if you want to get any accom for April...... we been going for the last fifteen years in April & is always a struggle to get any sort of lodgings on short notice
call Bay View & get put onto a wait list would be the best option, have a look at there accommodation options online, it will give you a fair idea
soft-roader will be fine for 90% of what you want to do
personally if you only have 9 or 10 days go straight to coral bay, do Monkey-Mia on another trip, any more that 3-4 days in Denham is enough if you don't have a boat, & you're only going to see the dolphins,BTW you can see plenty of dolphins @ coral bay

wow thought it would be a bit quite due to school holidays finished, might have to talk them into staying in a tent. 

had a look at they still have rooms available online, will have to get in quick.  has anyone swam with the whale sharks, can't wait to do that.   

 Is the servo still closing at CB?

not me, but daughter & Son-in-law have, reckon It's certainly worth the effort & expence

 THe servo was/is still open mate, but the fuel is a different matter. It will be self serve and above ground, but you will still be able to get supplies of it. It's a messy complex thing for someone else to explain. I got told by a local. In the future if there isn't any fuel there won't be a coral bay, btw thanks my opinion. Hope it never comes to that, I'm planning on going there next year again.

Personally, i feel there isnt much to do in Monkey Mia.

Go straight to Coral Bay . definatly worth the extra drive. the kids will have a blast.

one other optional thing to do up there is go swim with the mantas if they are around, we did it in april 2012 worth the penny . never swam with the whale sharks but plenty of sharks and turtles. The kids will be amazed with the spanglies that come up to you in knee deep water near the point. Once your in town unless your going to go 4x4ing there is no real need to even start your car as everything is within walking distance from any of the accommodation.

if you want to wet a line while your there , there are charters running from town.

there are 2 caravan/camping parks in town with plenty of room. last time we shared a house but there are also chalet style accommodation in each but definatly cheaper to camp out

Good luck and enjoy your stay up there, you wont regret it