Criterion vii (formerly Criterion iii)

Superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance

Shark Bay contains unique, rare and superlative natural phenomena and formations and features of exceptional natural beauty, including:

• Hamelin Pool, the only place in the world with a range of stromatolite forms comparable to the fossil record
• Wooramel Seagrass Bank, part of one of the few marine areas dominated by carbonates and also the largest seagrass meadow in the world
• a diversity of landscapes formed by aridity – peninsulas, islands and bays
• exceptional coastal scenery at Zuytdorp Cliffs, Dirk Hartog Island, Peron Peninsula, Heirisson and Bellefin Prongs
• wide sweeping beaches of shells at Lharidon Bight
• great natural beauty of inundated birridas such as Big Lagoon
• strongly contrasting colours of Peron Peninsula dunes and cliffs
• abundance of marine fauna – dugongs, dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles and fish
• extensive annual wildflower displays associated with rich flora.