Ningaloo whale shark tours: Swim with whale sharks in Australia
Tourists can swim with whale sharks in Australia on the Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth in Western Australia. Whale shark snorkelling cruise operators include Ningaloo Whalesharks and Ocean Eco Adventures.
Where can you swim with whale sharks in Australia?
The Ningaloo Reef is the only place in Australia where you can swim with whale sharks. The Ningaloo Reef runs off the coast of the North West Cape in Western Australia. The main towns for Ningaloo Reef tours are Exmouth and Coral Bay.
Due to the remote location, a whale shark safari from Coral Bay or whale shark swimming tour from Exmouth must be booked in advance.
What are whale sharks?
Whale sharks are the biggest fish on earth, with the average adult just under 10 metres long and weighing nine tonnes.
Fearsome, however, they are not – unless you’re plankton. They drift along in the sea, mouths open, hoovering up tiny sea creatures, and have no interest in picking fights with humans.
8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.
- Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
- Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
- Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
- Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
- Cape Range trekking adventure.
- Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
- Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
- Kayak and snorkel with turtles.
Swim with whale sharks in Australia
They are a genuinely incredible sight if you happen to be in the water next to them, though. And the Ningaloo Reef off the Western Australian coast is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks.
Several operators run boat trips to see the whale sharks from Exmouth in particular. Most are open to both divers and snorkellers, and will cruise along the reef until the gentle giants of the deep are spotted. You can pick which tour suits you best here.
Ningaloo whale shark tours: Getting in the water
Then, the skipper will position the boat in the path of the whale shark, and swimmers will disembark from the back. The idea is that the whale shark will swim past, and swimmers don’t have to chase it. That way, there’s less disturbance, and the snorkel-donning observers in the water can concentrate on watching rather than swimming.
Swimming with whale sharks in Australia is a genuinely magical experience. The whale sharks are huge, and the water quality at the Ningaloo Reef is usually astonishingly clear. It’s both exhilarating and weirdly peaceful in an otherworldly way.
Strict rules apply – no-one is allowed to get within three metres of the shark, and boats have to maintain certain speeds and distances. Touching the sharks is completely forbidden – and not desirable anyway, as it’s likely to make them dive away.
Ningaloo whale shark tour details
The whale shark tours operate during the whale shark season between March and August. They depart from the rudimentary ‘port’ at Tantabiddi. If you’re not driving, don’t worry, as the operators pick up from accommodation in Exmouth.
Ningaloo Reef kayaking tours, whale swimming cruises and microlight flights are also available from Exmouth. Bookings for these Exmouth tours can be made online.
The Western Australian town of Exmouth is handy stopover on the long drive from Perth to Broome.
8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.
- Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
- Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
- Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
- Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
- Cape Range trekking adventure.
- Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
- Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
- Kayak and snorkel with turtles.
More Ningaloo Reef questions…
When is whale shark season on the Ningaloo Reef?
How do I get to the Ningaloo Reef?
More animal swimming tours in Australia
Weedy sea dragons on the Mornington Peninsula
Great white sharks on the Eyre Peninsula